The article is an opinion piece arguing that Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen should bring back “Moon Trees” when the Artemis II mission returns to Earth. This mission, planned by NASA, is expected to launch in 2023 and will orbit the moon before returning to Earth. The mission will include a diverse and international crew, with Hansen tipped as a potential participant.
“Moon Trees” refers to the seeds that were taken into space by astronaut Stuart Roosa during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971. The seeds, which included 500 loblolly pines, were part of an experiment to see how they would react to the space environment. After the mission, the seeds were germinated and planted across the United States and the world. Hence, the trees that grew from these seeds were dubbed “Moon Trees.”
The writer suggests that the Artemis II mission should repeat this experiment of taking seeds to space and planting them back on Earth. This idea of growing “Moon Trees” would symbolically represent the link between our home planet and its natural satellite. It would be a meaningful gesture to highlight the significance of space exploration while also promoting environmental sustainability.
The opinion piece also discusses the Apollo Lunar Module Tree, a loblolly pine planted at the Kennedy Space Center in 1976 to honor Roosa’s mission. This tree was unfortunately destroyed in 2017 by Hurricane Irma, but there are plans to replace it with a new one grown from the seeds of the original tree.
The writer further suggests that Hansen, an experienced astronaut with a background in geology and biology, would be the ideal candidate to carry out this task. Involving him in this effort would also highlight Canada’s significant contributions to space exploration.
The article emphasizes that space missions should not only focus on technological achievements but also on the broader implications for Earth and its environment. Planting “Moon Trees” could serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of Earth and space, the importance of protecting our planet, and the potential for new discoveries in the realm of space biology.
In conclusion, the writer proposes that the Artemis II mission should emulate the Apollo 14 mission by bringing seeds to space and planting them upon return. This would create a new generation of “Moon Trees,” symbolizing the bond between Earth and the moon while promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.
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