Professor sends his DNA to the moon for future space civilization cloning
A physics professor has decided to send his own DNA to the moon, hoping that an advanced space civilization in the future might use it for cloning purposes.
Ken Oum, an 86-year-old physics professor, is one of those who have chosen to participate in sending his DNA to the moon with the company “Celestis,” based in Texas, which specializes in sending cremated remains into orbit for many years.
Oum is banking on the existence of civilizations with high technological capabilities to make use of his DNA, according to “The Sun” newspaper.
Among seven others, Oum looks forward to sending the ashes of his cremated body and his DNA to the lunar south pole during the upcoming “Celestis” mission.
Oum explained in an interview with “The New York Times” that after 30,000 or 40,000 years from now, there might be an opportunity “to discover remnants of this civilization or another civilization, its genetic blueprint.”
He acknowledged that a space civilization would need to be “sufficiently advanced” to do so, believing that if they somehow come across his DNA, it would be “assumed to be something very wonderful.”
Oum had always hoped to reach space as an astronaut, but NASA consistently rejected him because of his tall stature, standing at around 1.88 meters.
The company “Celestis” has been sending DNA to the moon since 1994, and on the company’s website, it states: “Celestis memorial capsules, carrying cremated remains and DNA, will remain on the surface of the moon as a permanent tribute to the bold souls who never stopped reaching for the stars.”
The company has completed missions for over 1,000 families in more than 20 countries, and participation in the Luna memorial spaceflight, launching into lunar orbit or the surface, costs $12,995 per mission via the “Celestis” vehicle.
