Navajo Nation Protests Moon Mission Carrying Cremated Remains

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has criticized NASA and commercial space companies for plans to send human remains to the moon, arguing it is a desecration of a celestial body revered by the Navajo people. Despite previous agreements for consultation with Native American tribes, the launch of Astrobotic Technology’s Peregrine lunar lander, which includes human remains as part of its payload, is set to proceed without such consultation. The mission, part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, has been met with disappointment from the Navajo Nation for not honoring past promises and for the lack of timely communication. NASA officials have pointed out the commercial nature of the mission, suggesting limited control over payloads, while the companies involved defend their practices as respectful memorials.