Fight to protect moon from being used as a tip

An array* of unconventional*, privately-funded* plans to exploit* the moon, including as a site for human ashes* and sports-drink containers, has gathered steam* in recent years as NASA* pushes to make it more accessible.

Concerns about the proper use of the moon have now rocketed*.

Landers* built by private companies and emerging space powers are expected in the next few years to join the US flag and other vestiges* of past programs to the moon. Other initiatives* could include using the moon as a site for capsules* of human remains, advertising sports drinks, and maybe even a two-storey-tall Christian cross made of the moon’s own dirt.

“We’re just at the beginning of exploring the moon and … we need to be careful we’re not contaminating it – not just with biological and chemical contamination* but with litter,” said Leslie Tennen, an attorney* practising international space law*.

Among the payloads* aboard a recent private moon mission by US company Astrobotic – which ultimately failed to reach the moon’s surface – were dozens of capsules of human ashes and a can of Japanese sports drink Pocari Sweat. The exact purpose of the can was unclear.

Under US law, those items and anything else can go to the moon, as long as the US Federal Aviation Administration* and other agencies certify a rocket payload’s launch off Earth does not “jeopardise* public health and safety … US national security* … or international obligations* of the United States.”

The issue will gain more attention as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration leans heavily on private companies to cut the costs of its trips to the moon. At present, there are no US laws or standards outlining what is acceptable on the celestial* body’s surface.

Lawyers with space-law expertise worry that the absence of regulations* could pit US companies against other countries operating on the lunar surface or spark international disputes over which private endeavours could be considered land appropriation* or claims of sovereignty*.

The lack of guidelines has some eyeing* the possibilities.

Justin Park, an American entrepreneur*, wants to build a Christian cross on the moon potentially as big as a two-storey building and made of hardened lunar dirt, an estimated $US1 billion undertaking he has discussed with US lawmakers* and Catholic organisations*.

“Nobody owns the moon,” Mr Park said. “You don’t want to stomp on traditions, but you can’t hold the rest of the world back.”

Few countries have adopted* standards for moon behaviour, and rules remain unclear in international law.

Some feel too little has been done internationally to guide moon behaviour.

“We are already late, and we are very urgently in need to start now, to discuss the moon at an international level,” said Martha Mejía-Kaiser, a Mexican-German space lawyer and board member of the International Institute of Space Law.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• array: a group or collection of different things or ideas
• unconventional: not following what is generally done or believed
• privately-funded: paid for by individuals or private organisations rather than by the government
• exploit: to make use of something in a way that benefits oneself, often unfairly or unethically
• human ashes: the remains of a person after cremation
• gathered steam: gained momentum or popularity
• NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the US government agency responsible for space exploration
• rocketed: increased rapidly or sharply
• landers: vehicles designed to land on celestial bodies like the moon or Mars
• vestiges: traces of something that once existed but is now disappearing or no longer in use
• initiatives: actions or strategies designed to achieve a particular goal
• capsules: small containers or compartments.
• contaminating: making something impure or harmful elements
• attorney: a lawyer
• space law: legal matters governing activities in outer space
• payloads: the contents carried by a vehicle, especially a rocket or spacecraft
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): the US government agency responsible for aviation and space activities
• jeopardise: to put something or someone at risk or in danger
• national security: the protection of a country against threats
• obligations: duties or commitments that must be fulfilled
• celestial body: a natural object in space, such as a planet, moon, or star
• regulations: official rules or laws governing behaviour or activities
• land appropriation: the act of claiming or taking possession of land
• sovereignty: supreme authority or power to govern
• eyeing: observing with interest
• entrepreneur: a person who starts and manages a business
• undertaking: a task or project that requires effort or commitment
• lawmakers: individuals who make or enact laws
• Catholic organisations: groups associated with the Catholic Church
• adopted: the act of taking on something

EXTRA READING

Rocks collected in 1972 reveal age of the moon

Rare 'super blue moon' is rising

Saturn’s icy moon may support life

QUICK QUIZ

1. What are some unconventional plans mentioned in the story for using the moon?
2. Why are there concerns about how the moon is being used?
3. What items were part of a recent private moon mission by Astrobotic?
4. According to US law, what conditions must be met for items to be sent to the moon?
5. Why do some people feel it’s important to have international discussions about moon behaviour and regulations?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Make the laws
Write at least five laws that you think would help protect the moon from improper use. For each law, write an explanation of why this law is important.

Time: allow at least 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science

2. Extension
Do you think that one country should control what happens on the moon? Write a paragraph explaining our opinion on this question. Use information in the story and possibly your research skills to help you.

Time: allow at least 25 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Civics and Citizenship

VCOP ACTIVITY
Punctuation thief
Pick a paragraph from the article, or about 3 sentences together if that’s easier, and rewrite it without the punctuation. At the bottom of the page write a list of all the punctuation you stole and in the order you stole it. For example; C , . C .

Then swap your book with another person and see if they can work out where the punctuation needs to go back to.

• Make it easier: Underline where you stole the punctuation from but don’t put the list at the bottom in order.
• Make it harder:
• Don’t put the punctuation in order at the bottom.
• Underline where you took the punctuation from, but don’t tell them what pieces you took.
• Just tell them how many pieces you took, but not what they are.
• Don’t give them any clues!