A New Brunswick writer, Jennifer Shelby, is set to have her book, “Borrowed Wings and other stories,” included in the Lunar Codex, a project under NASA’s Artemis program that archives cultural works from around the world to be placed on the moon. The Lunar Codex’s technology involves etching works onto metal in microscopic form, ensuring their endurance for billions of years on the lunar surface.
Samuel Peralta, a Canadian physicist and author who created NanoFiche technology and initiated the Lunar Codex, aimed to uplift artists affected by the pandemic. The collection boasts contributions from 264 countries and territories, including 156 Indigenous nations. Peralta’s project sells space for artworks on the moon, with one kilogram costing $1 million due to its unique methodology and long-lasting properties.
Shelby, known for crafting contemporary fairytales, expressed her excitement about her work being part of the Lunar Codex. Peralta approached her in 2022 for permission to include her book, which she gladly accepted. Despite some delays, Shelby’s story is on track to be sent to the moon this winter, sparking inspiration for future tales. The author envisions a whimsical future where even tardigrades, microscopic creatures accidentally released on the moon, may one day read human stories.