Navajo Nation Urges NASA to Halt Moon Mission Over Human Remains Concerns

NASA has responded to the Navajo Nation's request to delay a private mission by United Launch Alliance and Astrobotic that plans to place human remains on the moon, which the Navajo Nation considers a sacred space. The mission, set to launch on January 8, will carry scientific instruments for NASA's Artemis program and memorial payloads by Celestis and Elysium Space. NASA officials stated that they do not have the authority to regulate commercial payloads and that the mission is a commercial effort, not a government one. An interagency group is reviewing the Navajo Nation's objections and request for delay.