You’re gonna love this idea! KISS fans are rallying to give Ace Frehley one final cosmic honour: making the late guitarist an honorary astronaut. Sign the petition here! Come on NASA, do the right thing!
Frehley, KISS’ original “Spaceman,” passed away on October 16 in Morristown, New Jersey, at 74. His family confirmed he died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after suffering a fall at home. While the exact cause of death hasn’t been released, a medical examiner is investigating.
In the wake of his passing, a fan named Kathryn launched a Change.org petition urging NASA to recognize Frehley’s space-themed legacy with honorary astronaut status. The campaign has quickly gained traction, with thousands of fans signing on to support the idea.
The petition reads: “On October 16, 2025, the world lost not just a legend, not just a rock icon, but also a good man. Paul Daniel ‘Ace’ Frehley took one small orange step and one small red step and made a giant leap into what became the phenomenon known as KISS. But while most of his dreams came true, one did not. He never got to really be a space cadet. In honor of his memory, NASA should posthumously make Ace Frehley an honorary astronaut with the rank of Captain, because a celestial being of his caliber deserves nothing less.”
NASA has yet to respond, but the idea has captured fans’ imaginations worldwide.
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley paid tribute in a joint statement to Page Six: “We are devastated by the passing of Ace Frehley. He was an essential and irreplaceable rock soldier during the most formative chapters of KISS. He will always be part of the band’s legacy.”
Frehley co-founded KISS in 1973 alongside Stanley, Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss. After nearly a decade, he left to launch a solo career, later returning for the band’s 1996 reunion tour before parting ways again in 2002.
His fingerprints are all over KISS’ biggest songs, including “Detroit Rock City,” “Love Gun,” “I Was Made For Lovin’ You,” and “Rock And Roll All Nite.”
On December 7, Frehley will become the third musician ever to receive a posthumous Kennedy Center Honor, joining Eagles’ Glenn Frey and The Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh.
Tributes have poured in from across the rock world, with messages from Maynard James Keenan, Mike McCready, Nile Rodgers, Steve Vai, John 5, Alice Cooper, and members of Rush. Frehley’s influence is undeniable.
Kind of a cool idea, isn’t it? Here’s hoping someone in the NASA higher-ups is a KISS fan. ‘Cause this idea is outta-this-world!
