Kathrine Frich
Humanity’s fascination with space stretches back generations, shaping stories, science and childhood dreams.
Ever since the first astronauts set foot on the Moon more than 50 years ago, countless children have imagined themselves joining that journey.
NASA is now offering the public a symbolic way to take part in the next chapter of lunar exploration.
Renewed lunar ambition
The outlet notes that only 12 people have ever walked on the Moon, and none since the early Apollo era. In recent decades, exploration has been carried out mainly by robotic missions.
NASA aims to change that with Artemis II, scheduled for April 2026.
The mission will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon as the agency prepares for future landings.
Among the crew members is Christina Koch, who is expected to become the first woman to set foot on the lunar surface during later stages of the Artemis program.
A chance to join
To bring the public closer to this milestone, NASA is inviting anyone to send their name to the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft.
It is a symbolic gesture, but one designed to make participants feel connected to the mission.
elEconomista.es reports that names will be stored on an SD memory card loaded onto the spacecraft before launch. The sign-up process is simple and free of charge.
Participants visit NASA’s dedicated site, enter their full name, and choose a four-digit PIN.
The agency advises that the PIN is unique and cannot be recovered, so it must be kept somewhere safe.
How it works
Once the form is submitted, NASA automatically generates a digital “boarding pass,” which can be downloaded as a keepsake.
The pass confirms that the participant’s name will accompany the mission.
Registration remains open until January 21, 2026, ahead of the planned launch from the Kennedy Space Center.
This initiative follows similar campaigns linked to lunar probes and the VIPER rover, which gathered millions of names.
elEconomista.es notes that these efforts have become a signature way for NASA to connect global audiences with milestones in space exploration.
Sources: elEconomista.es
