The United Nations Lunar Sample or “the Moon Rock” is back on display.
The Department of Operational Support is pleased to announce that, after many years in storage, the sample of the lunar rock donated in 1970 to the United Nations by the crew of the Apollo 11 mission, is back on display in the Visitors' Lobby of the General Assembly Building.
Displaying the Moon Rock presented a number of challenges, particularly, in regard to security provisions that required extensive discussions with the relevant host authorities.
The presentation of the Moon Rock to the then Secretary-General U Thant by the famous Apollo 11 crew, Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, was also a historic occasion on the one-year anniversary of the moon landing in July 1969.
The General Assembly resolution 2222 (XXI), “Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of State in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies”, entered into effect on 10 October 1967, in which the Article II reads, “Outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means.”
In other words, nobody should own any parts of the Moon and any samples are under the protection of those who collected them. In this case, the astronauts who presented it to the United Nations.
In 2017, on the 50th anniversary of the treaty, the General Assembly reaffirmed the original treaty in resolution 72/78 and highlighted their continuing interest in maintaining peace and security as well as promoting international cooperation and understanding.
Now, with a short walk to the Visitors' Lobby of the General Assembly Building, you can see this prized official gift on display.
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