Hominin Space Flight

In the interest of promoting science and bringing global recognition for our science of human origins research in South Africa in particular. I am proposing that Tim Nash, a Virgin Galactic Astronaut selected for the third commercial and second civilian flight into space carry two fossils into space, one of Australopithecus sediba from the Malapa site, which is on his property, and one of Homo naledi from the Rising Star site. This would make these fossils the first extinct humans into space and act as a sign of respect by humanity to our African ancestors who gave us the technology, skills and mind that allows this perhaps greatest expression of human technological achievement – the exploration of space. The carrying of a Homo naledi fossil into space will be particularly poignant given the major discoveries recently announced. Major media partners will assist in using this once in a lifetime opportunity to bring awareness to science, exploration, human origins and South Africa and its role in understanding Humankind’s shared African ancestry.