Moon Landing Sites Threatened by Rising Space Tourism

The World Monuments Fund has warned that lunar heritage sites, including Tranquility Base where humans first walked on the Moon, are increasingly at risk due to the surge in commercial space tourism. This warning comes as the WMF releases its biennial Watch list, marking the first time a location beyond Earth is included alongside sites impacted by conflicts, such as places in Gaza and Kyiv, Ukraine.

In announcements made as early as January 2025, preservationists have highlighted that over 90 historic lunar sites may soon be endangered by new space missions and the growing presence of space tourists. The call for international collaboration echoes efforts by groups such as the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to safeguard these cultural landmarks for future generations.