Since the early days of spaceflight, our species has been fascinated by the idea of sending messages into the cosmos. In early 2014, we covered the possibility of registering our names on the Osiris probe, and later we reported on the Parker Solar Probe, sponsored by none other than William Shatner. Now, Project Sanctuary aims to take this concept a step further by placing multiple sapphire discs engraved with selfies and messages on the Moon. These discs are expected to ride aboard the Alina spacecraft, which PTScientists plans to launch next year.
As things stand, we are unlikely to be the generation that colonizes the Moon, Mars, or the rest of the solar system. That thought is a little sad, especially since we grew up imagining such futures. Yet we have the consolation of watching current missions and participating indirectly in future projects. What do we mean? Basically, sending small keepsakes and messages in digital bottles that will brave the cosmic void. We have often discussed how vulnerable modern storage media are to the passage of time, so placing a part of ourselves out there is not a bad idea. Would you like to join in? Why not send a selfie to the Moon?
How to participate
To participate, head to the official Project Sanctuary website, upload a photograph that will be converted to a 500 x 500 pixel black-and-white image, and write a message of up to 250 characters. This data will be engraved on special sapphire discs, each holding 3,000 selfies. Participants receive a code to enter the drawing for the limited slots (yes, there is no room for everyone) and to check whether their message will travel on the spacecraft.
The mission
The mission that will carry the discs to the Moon is called Alina and consists of a lander and two rovers. It is being operated by PTScientists, the first German team to join the famous Google Lunar X-Prize. That competition ended without winners (none will reach the Moon this year), but the PTScientists team is confident they will make it in 2019.
Yes, I admit that Project Sanctuary has some slightly disappointing aspects. On one hand, we have no guarantee that our package of message and selfie will find a place on the sapphire discs. On the other, the entire project depends on a private mission to the Moon. Still, let's keep our fingers crossed. One way or another, we must get there.
Visit the official site.
