Native Americans oppose sending human ashes to the moon.

'President' Buu Nygren of the 'Navajo Nation' is campaigning against sending human remains to the moon.

FACEBOOK/US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

The Navajo Nation, the largest Native American tribe in the United States, has voiced concerns about the presence of human remains on the lunar lander and called the moon mission an "insult" to sacred symbols in Native American culture, according to AFP on January 5.

On January 8th, the Peregrine lunar lander, built by the private company Astrobotic (based in Pennsylvania), is scheduled to be launched to the moon by a Vulcan Centaur rocket from United Launch Alliance. This marks the first journey of a privately-owned lander under a commercial partnership program aimed at reducing the cost of US space exploration.

The scientific instruments on board the Peregrine lander will study the radiation levels on the lunar surface, allowing NASA to better prepare for the Artemis program's mission to send humans to Earth's natural satellite.

However, the problem lies in the fact that the landing craft simultaneously carried containers of cremated remains and human DNA from two companies, Elysium Space and Celestis, which faced opposition from Native Americans.

While Elysium has not provided further information, Celestis says that the ashes and DNA of a total of 69 "individuals" will be permanently left on the moon.

Customers must pay a cost of $12,995 or more to have their loved one's ashes included in this journey.

In a letter to NASA and the U.S. Department of Transportation, "President" of the "Navajo Nation" Buu Nygren expressed deep concern and profound disappointment that the U.S. government had allowed the sending of human ashes to the moon. He requested that NASA postpone the launch.

"The moon holds a sacred role in the cultures of Native American tribes, including ours," Nygren wrote, adding that this was an insult to the moon.

NASA has apologized and pledged to consult with Native American tribal communities for future missions. Regarding the January 8 mission, NASA has sent representatives to work with the Navajo Nation.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/dan-da-do-my-phan-doi-dua-tro-cot-nguoi-len-mat-trang-185240105082350577.htm