A sprinkle of stardust: the journey to send ashes into space

Stu Potter, co-founder of StardustMe, explains the journey to watching the SpaceX launch that carried NZers ashes to the stars. (Image: Matt Hartman/Shorealone Films)

Ben Moore

Tue, 07 Feb 2023

Stu Potter and his family were up before the sun on Wednesday, Feb 1 – no mean feat for a couple with five children between 6 and 19 years old.In their Gisborne home, the family was gathered in the lounge before 5 am. Despite the early hour, the kids were “excited, busting at the seams” as they all eagerly awaited the launch of a rocket over 10,000km away in Vandenberg, California.The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket was one of “mixed emotions” for Potter; on one hand, it represented the culmination of five years&rsqu...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}