When Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon in 1969, he made history with those famous words: ‘That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.’
And as Artemis II’s Christina Koch becomes the first woman to fly around the moon, the prospect of a woman following in his footsteps seems closer than ever.
When NASA returns to the lunar surface with Artemis IV, currently scheduled for 2028, it is almost certain that a female astronaut will be part of that crew.
But the big question remains: what words should that astronaut leave for the history books?
The Daily Mail has asked this question to 10 of the women leading the way in space science and exploration to see what they would say in that position.
We heard from British legends like Dame Dr Maggie Aderin–Pocock, leading figures in the European Space Agency, and even future astronaut Meganne Christian.
Their responses range from witty jokes and cheeky plays on Neil Armstrong’s legendary line to reflections on our place in the universe.
So, do you think any of their ideas would be a fitting tribute for the first woman on the moon?
Dr Ann–Kathrin Vlacil
Dr Vlacil is a scientific project manager at the European Space Agency (ESA), with a special focus on human space exploration.
With years of experience overseeing scientific research on the International Space Station, Dr Vlacil is a key part of the teams that make human space travel a reality.
She told the Daily Mail her first words on the moon would be: ‘Gravity couldn’t hold our curiosity. We return to the cradle of the night, not as visitors, but as daughters of the stars.’
Dr Vlacil would want these words to focus on ‘the act of nurturing discovery and seeking connection with the unknown.’
‘Women have been analysing and calculating our way to the moon since the beginning but not many have heard about them,’ she explained.
‘From the minds that mapped the stars to the feet that now walk among them – the circle is finally complete.’
Dr Meganne Christian
Dr Meganne Christian is part of the ESA’s astronaut reserve, a group of highly–trained specialists who could be called on to journey into space if the right mission arises.
In addition to being a potential future astronaut, Dr Christian is also the UK Space Agency’s Senior Exploration Manager.
Asked what she would like to say as the first woman on the moon, Dr Christian had a simple answer: ‘It’s about time!’
Dame Dr Maggie Aderin–Pocock
Dame Maggie Aderin–Pocock, from University College London’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, is a renowned British space scientist.
Since 2014, she has been best known for presenting The Sky at Night, but she is also a highly accomplished researcher, having managed the observation instruments for the ESA’s Aeolus satellite.
Dame Aderin–Pocock told the Daily Mail that she would like her first words on the moon to be a play on those spoken by Neil Armstrong over 50 years ago.
She says her words would be: ‘That’s one small step for a woman, one giant leap for humankind.’
Molly Moore
When the Daily Mail approached The Royal Institution, Britain’s oldest scientific institution, director Katherine Mathieson decided to open the question to all female members of staff.
From all of those responses, Ms Mathieson chose her favourite, selecting the words of sales and events assistant Molly Moore.
Ms Moore told the Daily Mail she would want her first words on the moon to be: ‘Nevertheless, she persisted.’
She explained that these words were famously used by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to silence his female colleague Senator Elizabeth Warren, and have since become a feminist rallying cry.
She says that these words ‘speak to a culture of women not being quiet and succeeding in spite of injustice and oppression.’
Portia Bowman
However, not everyone believes that the serious approach is best.
Portia Bowman is a space systems engineer and CEO of Growbotics, a British space technology company.
Ms Bowman told the Daily Mail that, as the first woman on the moon, she would like to tell a joke.
Her first words would be: ‘It’s my job to say something historic. Something quotable. Something for every little girl who didn’t think they could make it.
‘I had the perfect joke ready but there’s no atmosphere and I don’t think it would land.’
While the tone might be light, Ms Bowman believes this strategy would be the best way to get the world to pay attention.
‘Changing a system requires courage to challenge the status quo,’ Ms Bowman says.
‘Doing something unexpected in a friendly way with a smile on your face could go a lot further to change minds than anything predictable and boring.
‘I also, unfortunately, think the first words for a woman on the moon are less likely to make headlines than the first person’s were – maybe this would help.’
Libby Jackson
With nearly two decades of experience at the forefront of space exploration, Libby Jackson is one of the UK’s leading experts in human spaceflight.
Ms Jackson spent seven years at the ESA in Mission Control for the International Space Station before joining the UK Space Agency and becoming Head of Space Exploration.
Now head of space for the Science Museum, Ms Jackson told the Daily Mail: ‘For me, it’s not just about the moment itself, but who it inspires.
‘I’d want my first words to be something like: “This is for everyone on the spaceship we call Earth. Chase your passions wherever they may take you.”‘
Professor Marianna Maiarù
Professor Maiarù, director of the Guggenheim Initiative for Aerospace Structures at Columbia University, told the Daily Mail: ‘If I were the first woman to walk on the Moon, I would be very aware of what that moment represents – but not just for me.
‘I would see it as the result of generations of people who made it possible, and of a collective effort that brought us there.
‘At the same time, I understand that being in that position carries a responsibility – it shows others what’s possible, and helps open the door a little wider.
‘And in that moment, standing there, I would keep it simple: “We came to the Moon. Now on to deep space.”‘
Kate Breach
After serving as an officer in both the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force, Kate Breach left the military for a career in space exploration.
She has worked for the New Zealand Space Agency, regulating the launch of both rockets and satellites, and is now business director for ispace–Europe, the company developing the ESA’s upcoming MAGPIE lunar rover.
Ms Breach told the Daily Mail she would like her first words on the moon to be: ‘Today I take just one step in a journey started by pioneering women scientists, engineers and explorers throughout history.
‘With this one step, let all humankind continue our journey together to explore, learn and thrive in our Universe.’
She adds that these words would be a ‘final statement that for future human exploration beyond our planet – no longer represented by only half of the population of the planet.’
Dr Cody Paige
Dr Cody Paige, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, is a leading researcher developing the systems to enable a permanent human presence in space.
She told the Daily Mail that her first words on the moon would be: ‘These first steps back on the moon mark humanity’s first leap on towards Mars.’
Dr Irene Di Giulio
Dr Irene Di Giulio is a biomedical engineer from King’s College London and an expert on the physiological challenges of human space travel.
Her first words on the moon would be: ‘This moment belongs to all humanity: we are living proof that through science, care, and a passion for cooperation through diversity, there is no limit to the future we can shape together.’
She told the Daily Mail that she would want her words to focus on what the moment would mean for all humankind.
She added: ‘Human spaceflight has inspired millions, and we have recently seen the energy and excitement generated by the Artemis II mission. I hope that this is not short–lived, and that energy can drive for scientific progress and shared growth for everyone.’
WHO HAS BEEN TO THE MOON?
In total 12 people have walked on the moon.
1 + 2. Apollo 11 – July 21, 1969
Neil Armstrong made history by becoming the first person to set foot on the lunar surface, before he he was followed by crewmate Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin.
3 + 4. Apollo 12 – November 19 and 20, 1969
Pete Conrad and Alan Bean were the moon walkers on the Apollo 12 mission.
The Apollo 12 crew experienced two lightning strikes just after their Saturn V rocket launched.
5 + 6. Apollo 14 – February 5, 1971
Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell were part of the Apollo 14 mission. They launched on January 31, 1971, and landed in the Fra Mauro region of the moon, the original destination for Apollo 13.
7 + 8. Apollo 15 – July 31, 1971
Dave Scott and James Irwin landed on the moon and stayed for three days, until August 2.
9 + 10. Apollo 16 – April 21, 1972
John Young and Charlie Duke were the next men to walk on the moon. When the crew reached lunar orbit, the mission almost had to be aborted because of a problem with the command and service module’s main engine.
11 + 12. Apollo 17 – December 11, 1972
The final people to walk on the moon were Eugene (Gene) Cernan and Harrison (Jack) Schmitt.
Before he left the moon, Cernan scratched the initials of his daughter Tracy into the lunar regolith. Since the moon does not experience weather conditions like wind or rain to erode anything away, her initials should stay there for a very long time.
