Honoring Kindyn’s Journey to the Stars
As part of our Ashes to Space™ mission, we spotlight the lives and legacies of those who orbit with us—our Ashtronauts. Each tribute is submitted by loved ones who share a story, photos, and the spirit of someone worth remembering.
Ashtronaut™ is the designation given to individuals honored through Space Beyond’s Ashes to Space memorial spaceflight service.
Today, we honor: Ashtronaut Kindyn Rheed Jinkins
From: Spring, Texas
Shared by: Melanie Jinkins, Mother
These stories remind us why this mission matters—not just for space exploration, but for love, remembrance, and connection.
Searching The Constellations to Relieve This Contemplation
Let me tell you about our astrophile, Kindyn.
He entered this world two months early, engulfed in love and excitement by big brother Kaison and proud parents, Melanie and David.
For the next 27 years, Kindyn proved to be smart, handsome, and full of charm. His charisma kept friends around him laughing, cutting up, challenging each other by perfecting skateboard tricks or gaming. Building computer / gaming systems, and locking us out of our own home network, Kindyn conquered challenges and created some for us along the way!
In school with a goal to work for SpaceX, his twin boys arrived; Lucas Reed and Nikola (Niko) Malcolm Jinkins, born April 17, 2019; both sharing his greatest qualities: handsome, adorable, quick easy smiles, charm, and intelligence.
Being in Lucas & Niko’s life meant everything to Kindyn. His nurturing manner while entertaining the boys came very naturally to him. Our proudest moments were getting to watch Kindyn care and play with his boys. How your children care for and treat others is evidence of their soul. Kindyn’s soul: pure perfection.
Early again, but this time so profoundly sad, on February 12, 2023, Kindyn passed, leaving a black hole in our own hearts.
Even when leaving us, Kindyn continued to extend mercy and grace to others; five people started new chapters with their loved ones due to his decision to donate all of his organs.
Meeting Blake, listening to him rock Kindyn’s heart, witnessing his strength and determination to honor Kindyn’s extended grace and love, has been healing for us.
Nikola [Niko] was named for Kindyn’s hero, Nikola Tesla. Lucas Reed was given Kindyn’s middle name Rheed. (spelt as Kindyn wanted)
When Niko needed a DocBand to medically correct the shape of his head, it could only be an astronaut themed one!
Lucas and Niko will forever have their own dedicated guardian, always with them, protecting and watching over them; forever their Dad.
Unable to complete his goals, Kindyn’s parents are helping him “work” towards space exploration for all by participating and sharing this exceptional and affordable way to give tribute for someone we love as immensely vast as space.
Kindyn’s ashes will be launched on a SpaceX rocket, with his new “ride share” friends; fellow astrophiles! Upon decommissioning and re-entering the earth’s atmosphere, our astrophiles will become our own shooting stars.
We will track the satellite by GPS, with intentions to witness our shooting star.
Kindyn, you sought the stars, while you were the center of our universe ~mom & dad
A Journey Beyond Earth
A portion of Kindyn’s ashes will be launched to space aboard our upcoming mission, where they will orbit Earth as part of a lasting celestial tribute.
Whether stargazing from home or tracking the spacecraft through the app, Kindyn’s loved ones will be able to follow the journey—knowing that their story is quite literally written in the stars.
Tribute Gallery – Ashtronaut Kindyn Rheed Jinkins
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