Title: Navajo Nation Leader Voices Opposition to Sending Human Remains to the Moon
In a groundbreaking mission set for February 23, American private space company Astrobotic is preparing to land its Peregrine lander on the moon, carrying a variety of payloads, including human remains. However, the head of the Navajo Nation, Buu Nygren, has expressed fierce objection to this plan, deeming it a desecration of a celestial body that holds deep religious significance for numerous tribes.
The mission, which marks the first time an American firm will land a craft on the moon, has been met with both excitement and controversy. Among the notable payloads are those from private companies Celestis and Elysium, specializing in memorial spaceflights, as well as five payloads from NASA itself.
Celestis plans to send the remains of nearly 70 individuals, including a DNA sample from the renowned scientist and writer, Sir Arthur C. Clarke. Nygren’s concerns about the mission’s impact on the sacred nature of the moon have been disregarded by Celestis CEO Charles M. Chafer, who argues that religious objections should not impede progress in space exploration.
Nygren, however, emphasizes that the Navajo Nation does not oppose space exploration but insists on being consulted about the launch. Acknowledging the concerns raised by Nygren and other Native American tribes, NASA deputy associate administrator for exploration, Joel Kearns, states that the agency takes these worries seriously. However, as private sector missions have limited oversight from NASA, the agency’s hands are tied in this regard.
To address the complex situation, an intergovernmental team is currently investigating the matter and plans to arrange a meeting with the Navajo Nation. In addition, the White House has scheduled an emergency meeting, which will include representatives from NASA and the Department of Transportation.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time the Navajo Nation has protested against lunar missions. Back in 1998, the tribe objected to NASA’s decision to send the ashes of planetary geologist Eugene M. Shoemaker to the moon.
The Peregrine Mission One, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, aims to utilize American companies to transport various payloads to the moon’s surface. As the debate surrounding the sent human remains carries on, it remains uncertain how this controversy will influence future missions and the participation of Native American tribes in space exploration endeavors.
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