A writer from New Brunswick will soon see her literary work showcased on the lunar surface.
Jennifer Shelby’s compilation of short stories, titled Borrowed Wings and other stories, has been selected to be part of the Lunar Codex project. This initiative, coordinated through NASA’s Artemis program, aims to create a repository of cultural creations from worldwide contributors.
Reflecting on this opportunity, Shelby expressed a sense of joy and pride, emphasizing the special significance of having her work associated with the moon.
The physical manifestation of the literary works will not be conventional books but rather intricate engravings on durable materials like quartz or nickel, requiring specialized equipment for reading, akin to microfilm technology.
Samuel Peralta, a Canadian physicist and writer, conceptualized the Lunar Codex as a way to uplift artists during the pandemic. His innovative NanoFiche technology enables the preservation of diverse artworks in a compact, long-lasting format, ensuring their endurance on the moon’s surface for millennia.
Peralta highlighted the global representation within the Lunar Codex, encompassing contributions from 264 countries, territories, and 156 Indigenous nations, fostering a rich tapestry of cultural heritage.
Private entities can secure space on lunar missions to place items on the moon, with costs amounting to $1 million per kilogram. Peralta’s approach of miniaturizing artwork onto nickel not only addresses weight constraints but also ensures longevity in the lunar environment.
With several missions already accomplished, the Lunar Codex has additional expeditions planned, including the forthcoming winter launch featuring Shelby’s literary creations.
Shelby, known for her enchanting storytelling blending fantasy with contemporary themes, expressed her excitement at the prospect of her works becoming part of this celestial archive.
Having been approached by Peralta in 2022 for inclusion in the Lunar Codex, Shelby’s anticipation has been building over the years, culminating in the imminent realization of her lunar literary debut.
From her residence in Riverside-Albert, Shelby finds solace and inspiration in gazing at the moon, a practice that fuels her creativity and imagination.
Contemplating the future, Shelby mused about the possibility of extraterrestrial readers stumbling upon human narratives, drawing parallels to a previous lunar incident involving tardigrades, resilient microorganisms inadvertently introduced to the moon.
