By Obiabin Onukwugha
For millennia, human civilizations have been captivated by the Moon, our planet’s only natural satellite. Ancient cultures developed myths, legends, and scientific theories about the Moon, demonstrating its enduring significance in human consciousness.
The invention of the telescope in the 17th century opened a new chapter in lunar studies. Ground-based observations enabled scientists to map the Moon’s surface and study its features in unprecedented detail.
With the advent of space technology in the mid-20th century, the Moon became the focal point of numerous space missions. These included both robotic probes and crewed missions, culminating in the Apollo program’s successful Moon landings.
On July 20, 1969 U.S. astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission and in October 10, 1967, the “Magna Carta of Space“, officially known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, entered into force. This treaty forms the basis of international space law.
In 2021, the United Nations General Assembly declared July 20 as International Moon Day in recognition of the first human landing on the Moon.
The day was declared after the Moon Village Association submitted an application during the UN-COPUOS 64th Session, for the proclamation of the International Moon Day on July 20.
The International Moon Day provides opportunity to educate the public, promote and raise awareness on the status and prospects for humanity. Sustainable Moon Exploration and Utilization of the Moon is the goal, and the need to collaborate and regulate activities on and around the Moon.
The 2024 theme for the International Moon Day is “Illuminating the Shadows.”
This celebration fosters increased global cooperation between stakeholders all around the world, as well as promote participation for future generations.
Moon Exploration started when Luna 2, a spacecraft launched by the Soviet Union, made an impact on the surface of the Moon on September 14, 1959. Since then, many more spacecrafts have been launched in the last 62 years from different countries such as the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, China, India and Israel, in order to better understand the Moon and its relationship to Earth.
During this year’s celebration, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued six postage stamps and three souvenir sheets featuring various pictures from lunar missions.
A statement by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to commemorate the day, noted that it supports Member States to develop the global governance of outer space, by serving as Secretariat of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). COPUOS said it works to promote international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space, and in the utilization of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development.
Also, Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA, in her speech said: “Today’s International Moon Day takes place within the context of increasingly international interest and exploration of the Moon. The United Nations will leverage its unique convening power to foster the necessary dialogue on the way forward.
“Only three weeks ago, UNOOSA hosted the first UN Conference on Sustainable Lunar Activities and COPUOS established an Action Team on Sustainable Lunar Consultation (ATLAC), which aims to develop expert recommendations in the next two-three years on the safe and sustainable exploration of the Moon. These stamps will help to spread news about exploration of our closest and most important natural satellite.”