Space Capsule Carrying Ashes of 166 Crashes into Pacific Ocean

The Nyx capsule, launched on June 23, 2025, by German aerospace startup The Exploration Company (TEC) as part of the 'Mission Possible' initiative, carried the ashes of 166 people along with cannabis seeds for a Martian agriculture study. The capsule successfully completed two orbits around Earth before an anomaly during re-entry caused it to crash into the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the loss of all cargo. TEC confirmed the capsule was launched and operated nominally in orbit but lost communication minutes before its scheduled splashdown, with the payload unrecovered. The mission, conducted in partnership with Texas-based space burial company Celestis, marked their first attempt to return human remains from orbit. Despite the crash, TEC highlighted technical milestones achieved, including successful launch, orbit, and re-established communication during re-entry, while expressing regret to clients for the loss. Celestis co-founder Charles M. Chafer offered condolences to families and recognized the symbolic significance of the space burial despite the mission's tragic end.