Mission SD-001
Mission SD-001 marked the beginning of StardustMe's journey and New Zealand's first dedicated memorial spaceflight. Carrying the ashes of five New Zealanders, the mission demonstrated that space could become a place of remembrance, reflection and connection.
Mission Timeline
Launched: 31 January 2023
Location: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
Rocket: SpaceX Falcon 9 from Space Launch Complex 40
Spacecraft: D-Orbit ION SCV009 Eclectic Elena
Mission SD-001 launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA. Flying as part of SpaceX's Starlink Group 2-6 mission, StardustMe's memorial capsules travelled aboard D-Orbit's ION spacecraft, Eclectic Elena.
Following launch, the spacecraft entered low Earth orbit and began circling Earth approximately every 90 minutes, completing thousands of orbits during its mission.
Journey in Orbit
After completing its mission in orbit, the host spacecraft naturally re-entered Earth's atmosphere. Although the mission has concluded, SD-001 will always mark the beginning of StardustMe's journey and New Zealand's first memorial spaceflight.
Imagery courtesy of SpaceX
Mission Legacy
