# Celestis 01

> artificial satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q107284179](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107284179)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/celestis-01

## Summary
Celestis 01 is an artificial satellite launched on April 21, 1997, as a memorial spacecraft carrying cremated remains into Earth orbit. It was launched from the Canary Islands using a Pegasus air-launched rocket operated by Celestis. The satellite is cataloged as object 24780 and has the COSPAR ID 1997-018B.

## Key Facts
- Launched on April 21, 1997, from the Canary Islands
- Launched using a Pegasus air-launched rocket
- Operated by Celestis, a memorial spaceflight company
- Classified as an artificial satellite (instance of)
- Catalog number: 24780
- COSPAR ID: 1997-018B
- Mission type: Memorial spaceflight carrying cremated remains
- Launch vehicle: Pegasus (inception: 1987)
- Wikidata description: "artificial satellite"

### Q: What is Celestis 01?
A: Celestis 01 is a memorial satellite launched in 1997 that carries cremated remains into Earth orbit. It was launched from the Canary Islands using a Pegasus rocket and is operated by Celestis, a company specializing in memorial spaceflights.

### Q: When and how was Celestis 01 launched?
A: Celestis 01 was launched on April 21, 1997, from the Canary Islands using a Pegasus air-launched rocket. The Pegasus rocket is launched from an aircraft rather than from the ground.

### Q: What makes Celestis 01 unique among satellites?
A: Celestis 01 is unique because it's a memorial satellite designed to carry cremated remains into orbit, rather than serving a scientific, commercial, or military purpose. It represents the first commercial memorial spaceflight service.

## Why It Matters
Celestis 01 represents a significant milestone in the commercialization of space and the democratization of space access. As the first memorial satellite, it pioneered a new market for space services that extends beyond traditional government and commercial applications. This satellite demonstrated that space could serve deeply personal and emotional purposes, not just scientific or economic ones. The success of Celestis 01 helped establish the memorial spaceflight industry, showing that there was public demand for space-based memorial services. It also highlighted how private companies could create entirely new categories of space missions that governments had never considered. The satellite's launch marked an important step in making space more accessible to individuals and families, rather than being the exclusive domain of nations and large corporations. This shift has contributed to the broader commercial space industry's growth and the increasing diversity of space applications.

## Notable For
- First commercial memorial satellite carrying cremated remains to orbit
- Pioneered the memorial spaceflight industry
- Demonstrated new commercial applications for space beyond traditional uses
- Used innovative Pegasus air-launch system from aircraft
- Operated by Celestis, one of the first companies to offer space memorial services

## Body
### Launch Details
Celestis 01 was launched on April 21, 1997, from the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. The launch site was chosen for its geographic advantages and clear launch corridors over the Atlantic Ocean.

### Launch Vehicle
The satellite was launched using a Pegasus rocket, an air-launched orbital rocket developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation (now part of Northrop Grumman). The Pegasus system is unique because it's launched from beneath an aircraft rather than from a traditional launch pad. This air-launch approach offers several advantages including flexibility in launch location and reduced ground infrastructure requirements.

### Mission Purpose
Unlike most satellites that serve scientific, communications, or military purposes, Celestis 01 was designed specifically as a memorial spacecraft. The satellite carries cremated remains of individuals who chose to have their ashes placed in Earth orbit. This represents a novel application of space technology for personal and memorial purposes.

### Technical Classification
The satellite is classified as an artificial satellite, meaning it's a human-made object placed into orbit around Earth. It has been assigned the catalog number 24780 by space tracking agencies and carries the COSPAR designation 1997-018B, following standard satellite identification conventions.

### Operator
Celestis, the company operating this satellite, specializes in memorial spaceflights. They offer various options for placing cremated remains in space, including Earth orbit, lunar surface, and deep space missions. Celestis 01 represents one of their early successes in establishing the memorial spaceflight market.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report