A sudden White House meeting has been convened to address a private lunar mission, Peregrine Mission One, set to launch imminently. The largest Native American group in the U.S., the Navajo Nation, has raised objections, urging a delay in the mission. The cause for concern revolves around the mission’s payload—a lunar burial of cremated human remains.
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The Lunar Burial Mission
Peregrine Mission One, scheduled to launch on Monday, holds historic significance as the first American-made spacecraft to land on the lunar surface since the Apollo program concluded in 1972. However, the Navajo Nation President, Buu Nygren, deems allowing human remains on the moon as disrespectful to indigenous cultures, particularly highlighting the sacred place the moon holds in Navajo cosmology.
Navajo Nation’s Distress
President Nygren expressed deep disturbance and deemed the suggestion of turning the moon into a resting place for human remains as unacceptable. The objection is not new; in a letter to NASA in December, Nygren referenced the 1999 Lunar Prospector mission that carried the remains of astronaut Eugene Shoemaker. Back then, NASA issued a formal apology, promising tribal consultation before future missions with human remains.
Commercial Lunar Burial Services
Two companies, Celestis and Elysium Space, are offering lunar burial services for the Peregrine Mission One. Celestis’ payload, Tranquility Flight, includes 66 memorial capsules with cremated remains and DNA, designed to remain as a permanent tribute on the lunar surface. Elysium Space’s Lunar Memorial also aims to deliver a symbolic portion of remains to create a commemoration on the moon.
Industry Response and Perspectives
Celestis CEO Charles Chafer dismissed concerns, stating that the memorial spaceflight mission does not desecrate the moon. He emphasized the careful handling and reverence involved in creating a permanent monument. John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic Technology, the company facilitating the lunar landing, expressed disappointment that the concerns were raised late in the mission’s timeline, asserting the company’s commitment to finding a resolution with the Navajo Nation.
NASA’s Role and Commercial Lunar Payload Services
Peregrine Mission One marks the initiation of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, where private companies handle lunar cargo transport. While NASA paid Astrobotic $108 million for the mission, it underscores the evolving rules in the nascent lunar economy. NASA officials acknowledged the concerns raised by the Navajo Nation, emphasizing the commercial nature of the mission and the need for understanding.
Regulatory Oversight Challenges
The Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation holds oversight over private space launches but is limited by law to matters of public health and safety, safety of property, and national security. Navajo Nation officials argue that this limitation is concerning, suggesting it allows sending anything into space without adequate oversight.
The debate raises fundamental questions about who controls activities on the moon, especially as the race to colonize the lunar surface gains momentum. Celestis’ CEO asserted that no one owns the moon, and religious beliefs should not dictate space efforts. In contrast, Navajo Nation’s Washington Office Executive Director, Justin Ahasteen, emphasized the need for respect and protection of the moon, drawing parallels with treating it like a graveyard or waste site.
White House Meeting and Future Outlook
Friday’s White House meeting, featuring representatives from NASA, FAA, Department of Transportation, and Commerce, signifies a last-minute attempt to address the Navajo Nation’s concerns. However, Navajo Nation officials express skepticism about halting the launch or removing the remains, given NASA’s pre-launch preparations.
The clash between lunar burial commercial services and cultural sensitivities brings to the forefront the challenges of regulatory oversight and ethical considerations in the evolving lunar economy. The outcome of the White House meeting will play a crucial role in determining the balance between commercial space endeavors and cultural respect for the moon.