Private U.S. Moon Landings Set to Launch Amid Controversy Over Human Remains

Astrobotic Technology and Intuitive Machines are set to make history with the first private U.S. moon landings, carrying research packages and human remains, despite objections from the Navajo Nation.

Astrobotic Technology and Intuitive Machines are set to launch the first private U.S. moon landings since the Apollo missions over five decades ago, with Astrobotic's Peregrine lander scheduled to launch on January 8, 2024.
The Peregrine lander will carry 20 research packages for seven countries, including five for NASA and a shoebox-size rover for Carnegie Mellon University.
Controversy has arisen over the inclusion of human remains in the payload, with the Navajo Nation objecting to the desecration of the moon, which holds a sacred place in many indigenous cultures.
Despite objections, Astrobotic Technology asserts that it is fully compliant with planetary protection guidelines and all rules, policies, regulations, and laws for commercial space activity beyond Earth orbit.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has described the private companies' missions as 'scouts going to the moon ahead of us', as NASA focuses on getting astronauts back to the moon.