LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky congressman helped carry on an Apollo-Era legacy at the nation's capitol on Tuesday.
According to a news release, U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (KY-05) hosted the first ever "Moon Tree" planting at the Capitol Building. The American Sweetgum seed, along with four other types of tree seeds, was on the ship during the Artemis I mission in late 2022.
“While the Artemis I mission back in 2022 was uncrewed and did not carry any astronauts, it did carry with it a piece of our Earth’s ecosystem," Rogers said. "It is my hope that this Artemis 'Moon Tree' will not only beautify the Capitol Grounds, but also serve as a reminder of American leadership in space, inspire young minds, and commemorate the brave men and women who dare fly into space."
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The idea to fly tree seeds around the moon started with Astronaut Stuart Roosa, who was a former U.S. Forest Service smoke jumper according to the release. The seedlings he carried during the Apollo 14 mission were planted for years after the trip. "Moon Trees" are now planted across the United States.
“Space exploration is not just about one generation or one mission—it's a legacy that continues to impact and inspire. Today's moon tree planting embodies this ethos, showcasing NASA's enduring mission to inspire and benefit humanity,” NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy said. “Thanks to the leadership of Representative Rogers, this tree, born from a seed that flew around the Moon, will inspire the Artemis generation as a symbol of how we can bring the experience of space home as we push humanity farther into the solar system.”
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA), U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK); Artemis II Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen; and a Canadian ambassador were also present at the tree planting ceremony.
The seedling was the first of the Artemis I seedlings to be moved from the nursery during its dormant stage and into the U.S. Botanic Gardens where it stayed for three months according to the release. Almost 150 other seedlings were distributed during that time.
NASA and the USDA Forest Service hope to distribute several hundred seedlings that were aboard the Artemis I by the end of 2025.
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