"These are critical sites for understanding human movement into space, and there's no reason why this can't be demarcated as space parks or have some kind of protective regime put around them," he added. There's also the risk that natural space phenomenon such as radiation and extreme temperatures could have already damaged them. Tranquility Base, the spot where humans first set foot on the moon, isn't the only thing of interest to space archaeologists. Different rules apply in space, with the UN's 1967 Outer Space Treaty stating that space "is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty." Final frontierMost archaeologists agree the artifacts should be left on the moon -- any attempt to retrieve them would likely result in damage.

Source: CNN April 17, 2021 22:41 UTC