Since the first moon landing in 1969, humans have left over 200 tons of debris scattered on the lunar surface – including left out -left shoes, broken equipment, flags and even crashed spacecraft. With no wind, rain or environment to break it, this space can remain on the junk moon for 100 million years.
Now, the lunar missions are preparing to launch as a new wave, space agencies and scientists are facing a difficult question: what do we do with all the junk we have left behind?
Instead of allowing the moon to become a cosmic junk, researchers are developing smart recycling solutions. The vision is to turn old debris into energy sources for construction materials, equipment, or even future lunar explorers. What is already, by telling that mission waste can reduce low launch costs, and permanent space can go closer to travel.
The Moon is more than a step – this is our first test on how we treat another world. Cleaning the past can be the key to the creation of a cleaner in space, smarter future.