(CNN) -- In the end, it was Scotty who got beamed up. 

The ashes of late actor James Doohan, who played chief engineer Montgomery Scott in the original "Star Trek" television series and a series of subsequent films, were on the SpaceX rocket that launched a private spacecraft into orbit this week. 

Doohan's character was referenced in the "Beam me up, Scotty" catchphrase associated with "Star Trek." 

In various versions of the command, Capt. James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner, would ask his Scottish-descended colleague to activate a matter teleportation device that would transport Kirk or others to the starship Enterprise. 

While it is unclear if the exact phrase "Beam me up, Scotty" ever was uttered in a "Star Trek" episode, it became a popular bumper sticker and Doohan chose it for the title of his autobiography published in 1996. He died in 2005. 

Celestis, a company that provides memorial spaceflights, confirmed that some of Doohan's cremated remains were among 320 sets on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched Tuesday. 

Stellar week for SpaceX founder Elon Musk 

In addition, a portion of the cremated remains of Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper also were on board, the company confirmed. 

The Falcon 9 rocket, which carried up the SpaceX Dragon craft for a possible rendezvous this week with the International Space Station, is expected to remain in orbit for months until burning up when it falls back into the Earth's atmosphere. 

"He would rather have flown when he was alive, of course," said Doohan's widow, Wende Doohan, who watched the SpaceX launch Tuesday with the couple's 12-year-old daugher, one of three children from a 31-year marriage. 
What was launched recently?
What did it bring into orbit?
How many sets of remains were put in orbit?
Who did James Doohan play?
On what show?
What country was Doohan's character from?
What other well-known person's remains were there?
What was his occupation?
Was Doohan married before he died?
To whom?
For how long?
How many kids did they have?
What is Star Trek's catchphrase?
Who supposedly said it?
Played by whom?
Did he actually say it in an episode?
Where was the phrase published?
Where else?
When was that printed?
When did he die?
SpaceX rocket
were on the SpaceX rocket that launched a private spacecraft into orbit this week. 
The ashes of James Doohan
The ashes of late actor James Doohan, who played chief engineer Montgomery Scott in the original "Star Trek" television series and a series of subsequent films, were on the SpaceX rocket that launched a private spacecraft into orbit this week. 
320
Celestis, a company that provides memorial spaceflights, confirmed that some of Doohan's cremated remains were among 320 sets on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched Tuesday. 
Montgomery Scott
James Doohan, who played chief engineer Montgomery Scott 
"Star Trek"
James Doohan, who played chief engineer Montgomery Scott in the original "Star Trek" 
Scotland
would ask his Scottish-descended colleague 
Gordon Cooper
In addition, a portion of the cremated remains of Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper also were on board, the company confirmed. 

astronaut
In addition, a portion of the cremated remains of Mercury 7 astronaut Gordon Cooper 
Yes
"He would rather have flown when he was alive, of course," said Doohan's widow,
Wende Doohan
Doohan's widow, Wende Doohan
31 years
one of three children from a 31-year marriage. 
Three
12-year-old daugher, one of three children from a 31-year marriage.
"Beam me up, Scotty"
"Beam me up, Scotty" catchphrase
Capt. James T. Kirk
In various versions of the command, Capt. James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner, would ask his Scottish-descended colleague to activate a matter teleportation device that would transport Kirk or others to the starship Enterprise. 

William Shatner
Capt. James T. Kirk, played by William Shatner,
It is unclear
While it is unclear if the exact phrase "Beam me up, Scotty" ever was uttered 
On a bumper sticker
 it became a popular bumper sticker 
Doohan's autobiography
Doohan chose it for the title of his autobiography published in 1996. He died in 2005. 
1996.
Doohan chose it for the title of his autobiography published in 1996.
2005.
He died in 2005. 
