Star Trek's Scotty heads to space

Doohan had been suffering from pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease

The ashes of James Doohan, who played Scotty in the original TV series of Star Trek, have been placed in a rocket so they can be released in space.

Canadian-born Doohan died in July 2005 at the age of 85, and inspired a catchphrase - "Beam me up, Scotty" - without ever saying it himself.

The rocket, launching on 28 April, will also hold the remains of 200 others.

The capsules containing the ashes will be retrieved upon their return to Earth and given to each person's relatives.

Families - including that of late US astronaut Gordon Cooper - have paid $495 (£250) to have a few grams of their loved one's ashes placed onboard.

A decade ago, the remains of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry were sent into space by the same Texan company which is involved this time.

Originally the firm planned to send Doohan's remains into space two years ago, but the flight was delayed by tests and then a misfire during a rehearsal.

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