AND FIVE CANCELLATIONS. A JOURNEY AMONG THE STARS. A WEST SACRAMENTO HUSBAND HELPING HIS WIFE ACHIEVE A LIFELONG DREAM FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE, TRAVELING ALL THE WAY TO OUTER SPACE SOUNDS LIKE A THING STRAIGHT OUT OF A SCI FI MOVIE. BUT NO, THIS IS NOT THE WOMAN AND HER MOST BELOVED PET ARE ABOUT TO BE SHOT INTO SPACE TO MAKE THAT LIFELONG DREAM A REALITY. KCRA 3’S ERIN HEFT HAS HER STORY. A CHANCE TO TOUCH THE STARS WHILE FLOATING AMONG THE GALAXY, BEING SHOT THROUGH SPACE AND TIME. A DREAM FOR MANY, BECOMING A REALITY FOR WEST SACRAMENTO’S CONNIE SUE JONES. SHE WAS VERY, VERY BRIGHT. PERSON, VERY AND INTUITIVE. WE MET WITH RICHARD JONES, BETTER KNOWN AS BUZZ, CONNIE’S HUSBAND. SHE COULD RELATE AND CONVERSE WITH PEOPLE. HE’S MAKING CONNIE’S FINAL DREAM COME TRUE. AND I SAID. I OWE THIS TO YOU. I DON’T CARE WHAT SHE WOULD PROBABLY BE ALL UPSET WITH ME SAYING. WHY WOULD YOU SPEND THAT MUCH? I JUST BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT YOU WANTED. AND THAT’S WHAT I WANTED TO GIVE TO YOU. TAKING FLIGHT THIS SUMMER. LIFTING OFF TO SPACE IN A CELESTIS MISSION. THE COMPANY, A PIONEER IN MEMORIAL SPACE FLIGHTS. CONNIE, ALONG WITH HER BELOVED PUP, CASSIE, AND OVER 150 OTHER FLIGHT CAPSULES WITH CREMATED REMAINS AND DNA, WILL TRAVEL 17,000MPH, COMPLETING SEVERAL ORBITS AROUND THE EARTH BEFORE RETURNING TO THEIR LOVED ONES. CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF CELESTIS, CHARLES SCHAFER, EXPLAINING ITS INSPIRATION. WE CAN GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, TO HAVE A MEMORIAL ABOUT SOMETHING THEY REALLY CARED ABOUT, SOMETHING THAT THEY REALLY BELIEVED IN. WE KNEW IT WAS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WANTED. A LIFELONG DREAM OF A JOURNEY AMONG THE STARS. ALONGSIDE HER FOUR LEGGED BEST FRIEND ABOUT TO EMBARK, HONORING HER INTERSTELLAR LIFE AND WHAT LIES BEYOND. ERIN HEFT, KCRA THREE NEWS. TOGETHER, CONNIE AND HER DOG CASSIE WIL
California woman fulfills lifelong dream of space travel alongside beloved dog
The enduring connection between science, love and dreams that reach beyond our world
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Updated: 12:48 PM CDT May 12, 2025
Connie Sue Jones, a longtime resident of West Sacramento known for her brilliance, love of science and passion for the cosmos, is about to embark on one final, extraordinary journey.Through Celestis, Inc., a leader in memorial spaceflight services, Connie’s ashes, along with her cherished dog Cassie, will be launched into low Earth orbit this summer aboard the Perseverance Flight.Her husband, Richard “Buzz” Jones, has worked to realize her dream of reaching the stars—a dream inspired by her love of science fiction.Connie, grounded by physical challenges from becoming an astronaut, found solace in sci-fi literature, particularly the works of Robert Heinlein. Her inseparable companion, Cassie, accompanied her through life’s joys and challenges. Cassie, a spirited cocker spaniel, was not just a pet but a beloved family member who will now journey into the stars side by side with Connie, honoring their unbreakable bond.This summer’s mission, named Perseverance, will launch more than 150 capsules containing cremated remains and DNA samples aboard SpaceX's SmallSat Rideshare program. Traveling at 17,000 mph, the Perseverance Flight will orbit Earth several times before safely re-entering the atmosphere, where the capsules will be recovered in the Pacific Ocean. Families will later receive these capsules as keepsakes of this profound celestial experience.Celestis, renowned for its diverse memorial spaceflight services, has conducted 25 missions since its founding in 1994. The Perseverance Flight represents the culmination of lives celebrated through a legacy of innovation. Carrying Connie and Cassie to the stars, this isn’t just a tribute to exploration but to the enduring connection between science, love, and dreams that reach beyond our world.
Connie Sue Jones, a longtime resident of West Sacramento known for her brilliance, love of science and passion for the cosmos, is about to embark on one final, extraordinary journey.
Through Celestis, Inc., a leader in memorial spaceflight services, Connie’s ashes, along with her cherished dog Cassie, will be launched into low Earth orbit this summer aboard the Perseverance Flight.
Her husband, Richard “Buzz” Jones, has worked to realize her dream of reaching the stars—a dream inspired by her love of science fiction.
Connie, grounded by physical challenges from becoming an astronaut, found solace in sci-fi literature, particularly the works of Robert Heinlein. Her inseparable companion, Cassie, accompanied her through life’s joys and challenges. Cassie, a spirited cocker spaniel, was not just a pet but a beloved family member who will now journey into the stars side by side with Connie, honoring their unbreakable bond.
This summer’s mission, named Perseverance, will launch more than 150 capsules containing cremated remains and DNA samples aboard SpaceX's SmallSat Rideshare program.
Traveling at 17,000 mph, the Perseverance Flight will orbit Earth several times before safely re-entering the atmosphere, where the capsules will be recovered in the Pacific Ocean. Families will later receive these capsules as keepsakes of this profound celestial experience.
Celestis, renowned for its diverse memorial spaceflight services, has conducted 25 missions since its founding in 1994.
The Perseverance Flight represents the culmination of lives celebrated through a legacy of innovation. Carrying Connie and Cassie to the stars, this isn’t just a tribute to exploration but to the enduring connection between science, love, and dreams that reach beyond our world.
