Close Menu
NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Culture
    • Nerd Voices
    • About Us
      • Join the Team at Nerdbot
    NERDBOT
    Home»News»NASA Wants Their Moon Dust, Cockroaches Back
    News

    NASA Wants Their Moon Dust, Cockroaches Back

    Amy DavisBy Amy DavisJune 27, 20223 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    An auction for moon dust-fed cockroach carcasses has been blocked by NASA, who claim the items are their property. This story really starts back in 1969, when astronauts brought back moon dust from the Apollo 11 mission. That lunar soil was fed to insects, fish, and other small creatures to study the effects. The cockroaches from this experiment ended up at the University of Minnesota, where entomologist Marion Brooks dissected and studied them.

    “I found no evidence of infectious agents,” Brooks told the Minneapolis Tribune in an interview from October of 1969. She saw no evidence that the moon material was toxic, or that it caused any other negative effects on the insects. According to NASA, the moon rock and cockroaches were supposed to be returned.

    “All Apollo samples, as stipulated in this collection of items, belong to NASA and no person, university, or other entity has ever been given permission to keep them after analysis, destruction, or other use for any purpose, especially for sale or individual display,” NASA said in a letter on June 15th.

    cockroaches
    Photo by Matt Lemmon, Flickr

    But it seems Brooks kept these items, and displayed them in her home. She passed away in 2007. 3 years later, her daughter sold the collection. In May of 2022, the unique set went up for sale again via RR Auctions. 

    “Taken from the bellies of Blattella germanica individuals, this material has been transformed from moon dust to cockroach chyme — a one-of-a-kind rarity in the space marketplace,” the auction reads. It contains 66 glass slides, a vial of 40 milligrams of moon dust, and three cockroach carcasses.  Its estimated value is about $400,000+. 

    Photo by Catherine Singleton, Flickr [https://www.flickr.com/photos/s1ng0/6303898890]

    On June 15th, NASA requested the auction be halted. “We are requesting that you no longer facilitate the sale of any and all items containing the Apollo 11 Lunar Soil Experiment (the cockroaches, slides, and post-destructive testing specimen) by immediately stopping the bidding process.”

    In another letter dated the 22nd, NASA’s lawyer asked the auction house to work with the current owner and return the items to the federal government. “NASA has a track record of pursuing items related to the early space programs,” RR Auction’s attorney Mark Zaid said. “We have worked with NASA before, and have always cooperated with the U.S. government when they lay claims to items,” he continued. “At the end of the day, we want to act appropriately and lawfully.”

    As of June 23rd, the action had been shut down. 

    Do You Want to Know More?

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleSpoiler Car-Makes Driving Easier and Safer
    Next Article Sky Light Projector Providing A Star Light Theme Indoor
    Amy Davis

    Hi, I’m Amy. I like long walks in the graveyard, horror movies, comic books, and bringing you the latest in nerd-centric news.

    Related Posts

    Jason Coming to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

    June 13, 2025

    Car Branding Solutions: Do’s & Don’ts to Promote Business

    June 13, 2025

    APPLEJACK’S Caramel Apple by JOYGROUND COFFEE is a Sweet Treat All Year-Round

    June 12, 2025
    “Mufasa: The Lion King,” 2024

    Disney, Universal File Lawsuit Against Midjourney AI

    June 11, 2025

    Things That Shouldn’t Exist But Do: Pizza Flavored Vodka

    June 10, 2025

    SAG-AFTRA Reaches Possible Deal With Video Game Companies

    June 10, 2025
    • Latest
    • News
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Reviews

    What is BFDI (Battle for Dream Island)? An Interview With My 10-year-old

    June 15, 2025

    Can Technology Like Sleep Rings Replace Traditional Sleep Studies?

    June 15, 2025

    Design Original Ink in Minutes with Genbaz’s AI Tattoo Generator

    June 15, 2025

    Hokijp168’s Game History: Trends That Repeat

    June 14, 2025

    Jason Coming to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

    June 13, 2025

    Car Branding Solutions: Do’s & Don’ts to Promote Business

    June 13, 2025

    APPLEJACK’S Caramel Apple by JOYGROUND COFFEE is a Sweet Treat All Year-Round

    June 12, 2025
    “Mufasa: The Lion King,” 2024

    Disney, Universal File Lawsuit Against Midjourney AI

    June 11, 2025

    Robert Eggers to Adapt “A Christmas Carol,” Wants Willem Dafoe to Star

    June 12, 2025

    Mel Brooks, Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis Return for “Spaceballs: The Sequel”

    June 12, 2025
    "Sunshine," 2007

    Danny Boyle’s “Sunshine” Was Originally Written as a Trilogy

    June 11, 2025

    “Incredibles 3” Gets “Elemental” Director Peter Sohn

    June 10, 2025

    What is BFDI (Battle for Dream Island)? An Interview With My 10-year-old

    June 15, 2025

    Upcoming “Crystal Lake” Series Adds Three More to Cast

    June 13, 2025

    “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Gets 5th (and Final) Season Renewal

    June 12, 2025
    “Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars”

    “Steven Universe” Sequel “Lars of the Stars” in the Works!

    June 11, 2025

    Car Branding Solutions: Do’s & Don’ts to Promote Business

    June 13, 2025

    APPLEJACK’S Caramel Apple by JOYGROUND COFFEE is a Sweet Treat All Year-Round

    June 12, 2025
    “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,” 2025

    “Ballerina:” Ana De Armas Shines in Fun, Violent Return to the World of Wick [Review]

    June 4, 2025

    “The Life of Chuck” Joyous, Hopeful, Life Affirming [Review]

    June 1, 2025
    Check Out Our Latest
      • Product Reviews
      • Reviews
      • SDCC 2021
      • SDCC 2022
    Related Posts

    None found

    NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Nerdbot is owned and operated by Nerds! If you have an idea for a story or a cool project send us a holler on [email protected]

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.