---
title: "A Dead Cat Named Pikachu Is Getting Launched Into Space"
description: "A cat named Pikachu, who died and was cremated in January, will be the first cat to have its ashes launched out into space."
date: "2019-04-25"
modified: "2019-04-25"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/dead-cat-named-pikachu-launched-space"
categories:
  - "Off-World"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "death"
  - "pets"
  - "space"
  - "the digest"
---

# A Dead Cat Named Pikachu Is Getting Launched Into Space

![A cat named Pikachu, who died and was cremated in January, will be the first cat to have its ashes launched out into space.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/dead-cat-named-pikachu-launched-space.png>)
*\<em\>Image: NASA/Victor Tangermann\</em\>*

## Nyan Cat

Pikachu, a well-loved housecat who died in January from complications following a battle with diabetes, is going to blast off.

Owner Steve Munt plans to send some of Pikachu's ashes into space, [according to *Space.com*](<https://www.space.com/first-cat-space-burial-celestis.html>) — a strange tribute that will make Pikachu the first cremated cat to enter orbit.

## All Aboard

Shuttling Pikachu into the cosmos will be pet memorial service Celestis Pets, an offshoot of the human space memorial company Celestis.

Munt is currently raising money through [a GoFundMe](<https://www.gofundme.com/lovingPikachu>) to help pay for Pikachu's $5,000 ticket, but he told *Space.com* that he already bought the ticket for a launch "sometime in the next 18 months" anyway.

## Shooting Star

Celestis Pets has already launched the cremated remains of two dogs into orbit, where the company says the ashes will remain until they are vaporized upon re-entering the atmosphere. A cat's or dog's remains will be too small to see, but the company poetically likens the vaporization to a [shooting star](<https://futurism.com/launch-satellite-fake-shooting-stars>) streaking across the sky.

"I wanted Pikachu to be the first," Munt told *Space.com*, saying he wanted to "continue his legacy as an explorer and show the world that a cat is just as worthy as a dog of a special tribute."

**READ MORE:** [RIP Pikachu: Ashes of Beloved Cat Will Launch to Space in Cosmic Burial](<https://www.space.com/first-cat-space-burial-celestis.html>) \[*Space.com*\]

**More on space memorials:** *[7 Futuristic Things To Do With Your Body When You Die](<https://futurism.com/futuristic-funeral-death-die>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)