How Will We Get Back to the Moon and How Will We Get Along There? A guest post by Cynthia Levinson and Jennifer Swanson

Humans haven’t stepped onto the Moon since 1972. Now, more than 50 years later, American astronauts are planning to head back, this time to stay. And it’s just possible that they might be joined by cosmonauts from Russia and taikonauts from China. For this to happen, two big questions need to be solved: How will humans get there? And what will happen if astronauts from different countries are all living and working there at the same time?

We wrote a book called Who Owns the Moon? And Other Conundrums of Exploring and Using Space (Margaret Quinlin Books/Peachtree Publishers), which addresses these questions and so many more. The quick takeaway is that the book is about the amazing engineering and technology involved in returning people to the Moon, while also providing a look at ways everyone can get along once they’re there.

First, the technology. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has created a program to send astronauts back to the Moon. It’s called Artemis, a multi-mission expedition, which required a brand new rocket, a spiffy new spacecraft for the astronauts, and even cool new spacesuits. Although American astronauts have already been to the Moon, new technology had to be created for us to return. After years of research, and thousands of hours of designing and testing, Artemis I successfully launched in November 2022. Artemis II is estimated to launch in April 2026, with four astronauts onboard.

The people that developed this astounding technology were creative problem-solvers with unique ways of looking at issues and environments. Your students could someday be one of these individuals.

Here are a few questions to ask your students to get them thinking about how they could do that:

• What would you want in a spacecraft that takes you to the Moon?
• What would your “house” on the Moon look like?
• How would you design a spacesuit for the Moon?

Have an open discussion. Encourage them to design and build something. Let their imagination soar. Then point out that NASA and many commercial companies are looking for students interested in working in the space industry. They are open to all backgrounds, not just engineers and scientists, but artists, mechanics, dieticians, publicists, and even lawyers.

Now, about those conundrums we refer to in the title of Who Owns the Moon? … We raise a number of thorny questions, such as:

• Are there laws that govern how people should behave on the Moon? (Short answer: yes.)
• What happens if someone breaks a lunar law? (That’s a longer answer.)
• Are there guidelines for what people can take from the Moon and use while they’re there? (Yes, sort of.)

To help clarify the answers to these questions, we made up a fictional newscaster (“Announcer”) and two astronauts, (“Captain Rebel Stitch” and “Commander Elisa Mann”) who get into sticky situations. Here’s the first one.

It’s 11 o’clock at night. But practically everyone in Abaland is awake and watching the news. That’s because the first Abalandi, Commander Elisa Mann, touched down on the Moon a few hours ago! Here’s the newscast from the capital city.

Announcer: “The hatch is opening. You can see the stairs descending. And there’s Commander Mann, filming a selfie as she steps onto the regolith! Golly, this is exciting! But uh-oh. An astronaut is rushing over. And he looks irate. He’s waving his arms and pointing. Commander, can you tell us what’s happening?”

Mann: “It’s Captain Rebel Stitch from Zagzigia. He says I landed right in the middle of where he’s digging for water, and he wants me to leave! He even built a fence around the area.”

Announcer: “Is he allowed to do that?”

Mann: “Yes. The Artemis Accords say he can set up a safety zone, but it has to be temporary. Since no one else is here, he’s been mining for three months. Anyway, no one has to obey the Accords since they’re voluntary.”

Announcer: “What are the two of you going to do?”

What are the two of them going to do? We have some explanations—and some escalating disagreements between the astronauts—in the book. Using these, you could ask your students to:

• Act out the scenarios or
• Research space law or
• Write a constitution for the Moon

To get started, click here to read the Introduction to Who Owns the Moon?

And learn more about the book, and check out early reviews, here.

Have fun exploring!

Meet the authors

Cynthia Levinson

A former teacher and educational policy consultant and researcher, Cynthia Levinson holds degrees from Wellesley College and Harvard University and also attended the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. She has published articles in Appleseeds, Calliope, Cobblestone, Dig, Faces, and Odyssey.

Jennifer Swanson

The author of more than thirty-five nonfiction books for young readers, Jennifer Swanson holds a BS in chemistry from the United States Naval Academy and an MS Ed in K-8 science from Walden University.

About Who Owns the Moon?: And Other Conundrums of Exploring and Using Space

Today’s teens may travel to the Moon in their lifetimes. This primer on what to know for a future in space combines technology and science with law and policy for a fascinating look at a very timely subject.

For teens who are space fans, this book is loaded with fascinating facts, great stories, and new ways of thinking about the challenges of space. It covers topics on the science of space and developments in technology (e.g., satellites behaving like spacecraft), and it also considers the laws that have been drafted for space travel and space etiquette—the agreed upon norms of behavior that allow humans to explore without conflict.

The book discusses the problem of space debris, and the growth of space tourism. It provides details about the Artemis missions and plans for the Gateway space station, and so much more. It challenges young readers to think about the decisions that need to be made in the years ahead to ensure that space exploration remains an exhilarating and peaceful activity.

And the final chapter provides guidance on careers in the space industry—being an astronaut is only one of many exciting paths to pursue.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

ISBN-13: 9781682635377
Publisher: Margaret Quinlin Books/Peachtree Publishers
Publication date: 01/14/2025
Age Range: 12 – 17 Years

Filed under: Guest Post