US and China talking about how to preserve Neil Armstrong’s footprint on the moon, top scientist says

The US began discussions about protecting ‘relics’ from the Apollo 11 mission after Chinese lunar rovers started operating, state TV told

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Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin plant the US flag on the moon in 1969. The US is now in talks with China about how to protect it and other traces of the Apollo 11 mission. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:00am, 29 Jun 2024Updated: 7:32am, 29 Jun 2024

The United States and China are talking about how to protect Neil Armstrong’s footprint and other traces of the first humans to step on the moon, a Chinese researcher has revealed.

Li Hongbo, a senior researcher and deputy chief engineer at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, told state broadcaster CCTV there was no reason to worry about China’s Yutu lunar rovers destroying the first human footprint left on the moon “at the moment”.

But she said during Monday’s interview that since China had started exploring the lunar surface, the US had been “very enthusiastic” about discussions on “how to protect mankind’s historical relics on the moon”, which also include the American flag the Apollo 11 crew planted in 1969.

She described the talks as “very interesting”, adding that it reflected China’s emergence as a global space leader.

Neil Armstrong is reflected in Buzz Aldrin’s helmet visor in a famous picture taken on the moon. Photo: Neil Armstrong Nasa via AP

“When you are powerful, people come to you for negotiations. Before, no one would come to talk about these issues,” Li said.