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Moon Ashes

Do people really need to have their ashes buried on the moon ? Reading this story made me think about the Tibetian Book of the Dead

O nobly-born, that which is called death hath now come. Thou art departing from this world, but thou art not the only one; [death] cometh to all. Do not cling, in fondness and weakness, to this life. Even though thou clingest out of weakness, thou hast not the power to remain here. Thou wilt gain nothing more than wandering in this Sangsāra. Be not attached [to this world]; be not weak. Remember the Precious Trinity. 

The question of sending ashes to be buried on the moon seems to be a bit of self-aggrandization combined with clinginess that we are advised against. What does it matter where the ashes go in the end? Who will care about it anyway?  It seems the less fuss made over it the better - specially for those who survive and have to deliver on such last wishes.

However, sending a clipping of your hair or the ashes of your pet dog to the Moon may not qualify as culturally and historically important.

The problem, therefore, is where we want to place a line in the sand as we step out into the cosmos onto the shorelines of other worlds.

We cannot turn back the clock on private space enterprise, nor should we.

But this failed mission with ashes and vanity payloads exemplifies the unexplored questions in the legal and ethical infrastructure to support commercial activities.

Might be best to leave the moon and other celestial objects alone and confine our activities to place we were granted space to live on - not like we are doing a great job of being custodians of the earth and its many bounties. Not sure why we feel like have we earned the rights to expand the scope of our mindlessness and profligacy.

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