The Explorers Flight, carrying cremated remains samples of over 200 people, was launched August 2, 2008 aboard a Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) Falcon 1 rocket. The launch occurred from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Unfortunately, there was a launch anomaly that prevented the spacecraft's primary and secondary payloads (including The Explorers Flight) from reaching orbit. However, the spacecraft did reach space, flying to an altitude of 135 miiles (217 kilometers). Note that SpaceX successfully launched its next Falcon 1 the following month. See that launch video here

The overwhelming majority of Explorers Flight families elected to launch their loved one's cremated remains samples on a subsequent Celestis mission. Read the stories of Explorers Flight participants.

Explorers Flight Videos
Explorers Flight Launch Video Watch the full video of the Explorers Flight Launch (2008) at theKwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Explorers Flight Images
Kwajalein Island	Omelek Island
Launch took place from the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Mission control was located on Kwajelein Island, while the launch pad was located on Omelek Island.