Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news about interesting discoveries, scientific advances, and more.
CNN
—
The White House called a last-minute meeting to discuss a private moon exploration mission scheduled to launch in the next few days after the largest Native American group in the United States asked the administration to postpone a flight to transport cremated humans. convened. The body is scheduled to be buried in the moon.
If successful, Peregrine Mission One, a commercial mission scheduled to launch Monday, would be the first time a U.S.-built spacecraft has landed on the moon since the end of the Apollo program in 1972. But Navajo Nation President Boo Nygren said: Allowing the remains to land would be an insult to the many indigenous cultures that worship the moon.
“The moon occupies a sacred place in Navajo cosmology,” Nygren said in a statement Thursday. “The proposal to turn this into a mortuary is deeply disturbing and unacceptable to our people and many other tribal nations.”
The private companies providing these lunar burial services, Celestis and Elysium Space, are among several paying customers to hitchhike to the moon on Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology’s Peregrine lunar lander. There are only two companies. The unmanned spacecraft is scheduled to launch on its maiden flight. United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket From Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Celestis’ payload, called Tranquility Flight, includes 66 “memorial capsuleIt includes “cremated remains and DNA.” It will remain on the moon “as an eternal tribute to the brave souls who never stopped reaching for the stars.” Company website.
“While we are aware of the concerns expressed by Mr. Nygren, we do not believe they are substantive,” Celestis CEO Charles Chafer told CNN. .
“We reject claims that our commemorative spaceflight mission desecrates the moon,” Chafer said. “Just as permanent memorials exist on Earth for those who have died and are not considered sacrilege, our monuments on the Moon should be treated with care and respect and intentionally removed from the surface of the Moon.” This is not a permanent monument where we launch a flying capsule into the world. This is a moving and worthy celebration for our participants, a celebration that is the exact opposite of desecration.”
Office of the President of the Navajo Nation
According to Navajo President Boo Nygren, the moon is considered sacred in the tribe’s cosmology.
Elysium Space did not respond to CNN’s request for comment, but its website says its Lunar Monument will “send symbolic pieces of human remains to the lunar surface and create a typical monument.” I’m making a contribution.”
“We’re disappointed that this conversation came up so late in the game,” said Astrobotic Technology CEO John Thornton. “I wish we had had this conversation a long time ago. We published the first payload manifest of this nature for our mission in 2015. This is the second in 2020. We’re really right. I hope we can find a good path forward with the Navajo Nation.”
This is not the first time the Navajo Nation has expressed concerns about burials on the moon. In a December letter to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Nygren said in 1999 that he intended the spacecraft to carry the remains of former astronaut Eugene Shoemaker. He mentioned the NASA lunar exploration mission that crashed into the moon’s surface.
“At the time, Navajo Nation President Albert Hale voiced our opposition regarding this action. In response, NASA issued a formal apology and agreed to consult with the tribe before authorizing further missions to bring human remains to the moon.” “We promised to do that,” Nygren said.
Although NASA is the primary customer for this mission, it is still one of many customers paying to carry technology and cargo on Astrobotic’s lunar lander.
astro robot technology
The official mission patch for Peregrine Mission One is now available.
Sandra Connelly, deputy assistant administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, said at a press conference Friday that the space agency paid Astrobotic $108 million to develop the lander and bring scientific experiments to the moon. . Space agencies also artemis accorda document signed by the United States and 32 of its allies outlining what should and should not be allowed on the moon.
“We recognize that some non-NASA commercial payloads may be a cause for concern for some communities, and those communities understand that these missions are commercial. “They may not be a U.S. government mission,” said Dr. Joel Kearns, NASA’s deputy assistant administrator for exploration.
Peregrine Mission 1 marks the launch of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which allows the U.S. space agency to outsource the launch and delivery of lunar cargo to private companies. This mission is in the early days of the lunar economy, and the rules are still evolving.
“The fact that American companies are bringing equipment and cargo and payloads to the moon is a whole new industry, a nascent industry, and one that everyone is learning about,” Kearns said. “We take the concerns expressed by the Navajo Nation very seriously.
Mr. Nygren represents approximately 430,000 people. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation said the tribe is “not opposed to scientific progress or space exploration,” but “is not opposed to non-NASA commercial payloads, especially if such payloads contain human remains.” “We remain deeply concerned about the lack of oversight and regulation,” he said.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation is responsible for licensing all commercial space launches in the United States. But by law, the agency can only oversee matters related to “public health and safety, property security, national security and the foreign policy interests of the United States.”
“The Federal Aviation Administration’s role is legally limited to ensuring that spaceflight does not pose a threat to the safety or national security of the United States,” a Department of Transportation spokesperson told CNN.
But Justin Ahasteen, executive director of the Navajo Nation’s Washington Office, says that argument is “ridiculous.”
“They’re essentially suggesting that anything can be sent into space. Does that mean people can send drugs? Does that mean people can send dangerous materials? ?I think the lack of oversight is really concerning for the nation,” Arhastin told CNN.
astro robot technology
The Peregrine spacecraft is viewed in Astrobotic Technologies’ clean room before being shipped to Florida.
The debate raises new questions about who will control Earth’s only natural satellite at the dawn of a race to colonize the moon.
“No one owns the moon and no religion exists,” Celestis’ CEO told CNN. “Given the beliefs of the world’s numerous religions, it is very likely that no mission will be approved. Simply put, we have never let religious beliefs dictate humanity’s approach to space. There is not, and there never has been. There is no religious test, and there never should be.”
Ahastin argues that the Navajo’s goal is not to claim the moon.
“We’re saying be respectful. We’re turning the moon into a graveyard, a garbage dump,” Arhastin said. “At what point are we going to stop and say we need to start protecting the moon like we did the Grand Canyon?”
Friday’s meeting, convened by the White House, will be attended by representatives from NASA, the FAA, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Commerce. But Navajo Nation officials have little hope that they will be able to prevent Monday’s launch.
“Judging by what we’re seeing, NASA is already holding pre-launch briefings, but it doesn’t appear they’re going to cancel the launch or remove the debris,” Arhasteen said. Ta.