1) there is no air in space. there is no way that anything can
disintigrate due to old age if there is no air present in the place.

2)Lao tsu? or Lao Zi the book of zen. ie Taoism teachings. His original
name is Li Er. Li (high tone) er (deep tone)

Lao Zi pronounced L-ow (ouch! type) Zi (not the silent i)

The second one is somewhat better although I would have gotten Ayaka to
take Sashimi's place since Shashimi is somewhat too young.  The other
comment is that Ryoko could have been chosen if they used the view that
her mother could do an upgrade of about one techinological advancement
to the shields or some other area for the privilage of staying on jurai.