BEDFORD, N.H. — Astronaut Rick Linnehan will be taking the dreams of a Bedford family into space with him Tuesday.

Alex Higgins, 8, died in 1998 in a backyard accident. But his family has kept alive his dream of becoming an astronaut by creating a scholarship to space camp and hanging his picture at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium.

Linnehan, who grew up in New Hampshire, heard about the scholarship and sent well wishes and an autographed photo. And he has agreed to take a picture of Alex with him when the space shuttle Endeavour lifts off this week.

Paul Higgins, Alex's father, will be in Florida for the liftoff. He said the emotions he will likely feel at liftoff will be tough to put into words, but he knows one emotion that he will feel.

"Pride," he said.