Oregon Man Wants to Be the First Person to Launch His Cat’s Cremains Into Space

Pikachu won’t be the first live cat to be launched into space, but he could become the first deceased one to be “buried” among the stars. According to Geek.com, an Oregon man is hosting a crowdfunding campaign to give his beloved pet a celestial send-off. Steve Munt, of Lake Oswego, plans to send the cat’s cremated remains into Earth’s orbit via a rocket operated by a space-memorial company called Celestis Pets.

“Please help make history, and secure Pikachu's place in the heavens as a guardian angel of this Earth,” Munt writes on his GoFundMe page, which has raised more than $2100 of its $5000 goal. “A portion of his remains, from his heart, will be launched into orbit, where he will watch over the Earth, and we can track his location as he showers the world with love.”

Pikachu died in January 2019 after a yearlong battle with diabetes. People from around the world have been offering their support in the comment section of the fundraising page, including some who said they sympathized because they had a similar-looking orange tabby.

Celestis has been arranging space memorials for people since 1997, but its operations expanded to include pets in 2014. According to the company, it has blasted the cremains of two dogs into space, but no cats have received this cosmic treatment. “I wanted Pikachu to be the first, continue his legacy as an explorer, and show the world that a cat is just as worthy as a dog of a special tribute,” Munt told Space.com.

The company offers different packages, but its Earth Orbit service is one of the more affordable services at a cost of $5000. According to the website, a portion of cremains would enter Earth’s orbit, “where it remains until it reenters the atmosphere, harmlessly vaporizing like a shooting star in final tribute.”

[h/t Geek.com]