Are we about to erase our footprints on the moon?

The story of humanity’s journey into space reads like a sci-fi epic. But behind the rockets, moonwalks, and live broadcasts lies a quieter narrative: one of memory, heritage, and preservation. What are we leaving behind—and are we already forgetting it? is the question posed by a new type of archaeologist as commercial rockets blast into orbit and lunar landers land.

The arguments

Is It Really Archaeology?

Some critics argue that space archaeology is too new to be considered a real discipline. But Dr Gorman puts it bluntly: “When does the past begin? Isaac Asimov said it can start a millisecond ago.”

It’s not just ancient ruins that need saving. Artefacts from the Apollo missions—like discarded sample scoops, mission patches, and poignant tributes to lost astronauts—have deep cultural meaning. Some discoveries even shocked researchers. During the Lunar Legacy Project, it was revealed that Apollo 11 astronauts left behind medals from Soviet cosmonauts Vladimir Komarov and Yuri Gagarin—a powerful symbol of respect during the Cold War.

These sites are akin to Stonehenge, says Professor Beth O’Leary, who founded the Lunar Legacy Project in 2000. They’re irreplaceable, not only for their technological significance but for what they say about humanity’s first steps off-world.

And now? Private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin are rapidly expanding into these historic zones. Elon Musk reportedly supports plans to deorbit the ISS earlier than NASA would prefer. If that happens, key artefacts could burn up on re-entry or sink into the sea.

The Push to Protect

Advocates like Gorman and Walsh are now urging global space agencies to agree on heritage protocols—before it’s too late. The ISS Archaeological Project, launched in 2015, has already influenced the design of private space habitats. But researchers say time is running out.

The formation of the Icomos International Scientific Committee on AeroSpace Heritage (ISCoAH) in 2023 was a big win. It recognised that space heritage sites face real threats—and need global protection like any UNESCO-listed landmark on Earth.

Meanwhile, Cape Canaveral’s own heritage is under careful watch. Archaeologist Thomas Penders, tasked with preserving the site’s legacy, recently unearthed missile parts tossed aside during the frantic Cold War race to launch. New firms like Blue Origin are cooperating with preservation efforts, maintaining historic hangars and recognising their significance.

The facts

Our Space Heritage is Under Threat

In January 2025, the World Monuments Fund released its latest Watch List. Among the 25 threatened heritage sites? The Moon. Specifically, the Apollo 11 landing site at Tranquillity Base.

On that same day, Firefly Aerospace launched its Blue Ghost lander from Florida. It safely touched down on the Moon—just 50km from a major NASA impact site, and not far from the hallowed ground where Neil Armstrong left the first human footprints on another world.

Back on Earth, space archaeologists like Dr Alice Gorman and Professor Justin Walsh are racing to preserve artefacts and cultural traces from the space age. The field, once niche, now finds itself urgently relevant.

These professionals study the detritus and design of space missions: from lunar landers to crew cabins aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their findings help us understand how humans adapt to life beyond Earth—and offer vital insights into how future missions should be designed.

NASA astronaut Kayla Barron even conducted the first zero-gravity archaeological “dig” aboard the ISS in 2022, using adhesive tape to mark out a 1-square-metre “trench” and documenting daily changes. Think of it as space’s answer to Time Team.

But it’s not just about curiosity. There are 400+ metric tons of human-made objects on the Moon. Without protections, many of these could be lost, destroyed, or simply forgotten.