News Summary
Wesley Melvin Dreyer, a distinguished San Diego engineer, will have his remains launched into space as part of the Perseverance Flight mission. Organized by Celestis, this historic mission aims to honor lives well-lived by sending remains and DNA into low Earth orbit. Originally set for Sunday, the launch has been rescheduled for Monday due to weather conditions. Dreyer, who passed away at 77, worked on significant projects including the Tomahawk missile and was a member of the investigative team for the Challenger disaster.
San Diego – The remains of Wesley Melvin Dreyer, a renowned engineer from San Diego, are set to be launched into space as a final tribute on the upcoming Perseverance Flight. This mission, organized under the auspices of Celestis, will carry the remains of Dreyer along with more than 150 other clients, including both remains and DNA, into low Earth orbit.
The Perseverance Flight is a pivotal event for Celestis, marking its first orbital recovery mission. Originally planned for launch on Sunday at 2:19 p.m. from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, the flight has been rescheduled to lift off on Monday at 2:18 p.m. due to unfavorable weather conditions that affected booster recovery operations.
Once launched, the spacecraft will achieve a speed of 17,000 mph and complete two to three full orbits around Earth before re-entering the atmosphere. Following re-entry, the memorial capsules containing the remains will descend into the Pacific Ocean, where they will be recovered and returned to the families as keepsakes and tributes.
Celestis, co-founded by Charles Chafer, emphasizes that these spaceflights serve as honors for lives well-lived. Dreyer’s career exemplified this, being a distinguished engineer with a 42-year tenure. He played a significant role in groundbreaking projects, including the Tomahawk missile and the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft. Furthermore, he was a key member of the investigative team that examined the tragic events surrounding the 1986 Challenger disaster.
Although Dreyer expressed interest in private space travel, he never had the opportunity to pursue it during his lifetime. His family, particularly his daughter Kelly, felt a sense of fulfillment in including him on this mission. She noted that the idea emerged when they discovered a Celestis brochure while planning his burial, which resonated with their hope to honor his adventurous spirit.
Wesley Melvin Dreyer passed away in October 2024 at the age of 77. His family’s decision to include him in the Perseverance mission not only embodies a tribute to his accomplished life but also signifies the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for him as an explorer.
This mission represents a significant milestone for Celestis, marking its 25th overall mission and the 12th dedicated to Earth-orbit flights. The operational framework for this initiative involves a collaborative effort with SpaceX’s SmallSat Rideshare program and The Exploration Company, demonstrating a growing trend of honoring the departed by integrating their memory into the realms of space exploration.
As humanity continues to explore beyond Earth, missions like the Perseverance Flight provide a unique opportunity for individuals to embrace their legacy in the cosmos, celebrating both their achievements and dreams of discovery among the stars.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Aerospace Engineer Wesley Dreyer’s Remains Set for Space Launch
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Additional Resources
- NBC San Diego
- Wikipedia: Wesley Melvin Dreyer
- Times of San Diego
- Google Search: Wesley Dreyer Perseverance Flight
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Google Scholar: Perseverance Flight
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Space Exploration
- Built In San Diego
- Google News: Perseverance Flight
