Published 21:59 IST, April 28th 2019
BIZARRE: Here's why Pikachu the cat, is creating history by going where no cat has gone before
This will make Pikachu the first cat whose remains will be launched into an orbit in space, around the Earth. He is being helped by a company called Celestis — which also offers memorial spaceflights for humans.
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Dog lovers and cat lovers have always gone overboard with their love towards their pets.
But one man has decided to go 'outer-worldly' for his dear cat - Pikachu. Steve Munt, the owner who resides in Oregon, has decided to pay tribute to Pikachu - who died battling diabetes in January, by sending the cat's ashes into space.
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This will make Pikachu the first cat whose remains will be launched into an orbit in space, around the Earth. He is being helped by a company called Celestis — which also offers memorial spaceflights for humans.
Munt has a dedicated gofundme page titled -Pikachu's send-off to outer space, which has garnered $2100 of his $5000 goal to make his or his cat's dream come true.
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His request to donors reads:
Please help make history and secure Pikachu's place in the heavens as a guardian angel of this Earth. Pikachu came into our lives when we needed him most, and filled our lives with love. His story was first told at gofundme.com/lovingZee, sharing how he restored Zee's will to live and has continued to be told on Twitter @growingupzee.
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Zee is his other cat which currently lives with Munt.
Talking to Space.com, Munt said, "Pikachu will have a final send-off as no cat has ever had before. Thanks to Celestis, the orange tabby's cremated remains will hitch a ride to space as a small secondary payload on a satellite launch sometime in the next 18 months."
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Munt aims in garnering $5000 quickly as that is Celestis' fee for its "Earth orbit pet launch service," one of four different options the company offers as pet memorial spaceflights. Others include sending pet ashes into just 'first step into space', 'to the moon' and 'to deep space'.
Celestis pets' website reads:
Our Earth Orbit service affordably launches a symbolic portion of cremated remains into space on board selected Celestis spacecraft riding alongside a commercial or scientific satellite. The Celestis spacecraft is placed in Earth orbit where it remains until it re-enters the atmosphere, harmlessly vaporizing like a shooting star in final tribute.
While Munt has not raeched his goal amount through gofundme, he reveals that he has already paid for the cat's space trip using his savings saying:
"I have already signed the contract and just recently paid in full for the service."
21:48 IST, April 28th 2019