🌕 The Moon’s Future in Balance: What Indigenous Knowledge Can Teach Us About Tomorrow Humanity is standing at a crossroads. As commercial pressures mount, from lunar mining to resource extraction to competing national interests, the future of the Moon feels more contested than ever. But what if the key to shaping a healthier, more ethical lunar future lies in knowledge systems, far older than space exploration itself? In this thought-provoking episode of Chai on the Moon, astrophysicist and host Dr. Salman Hameed sits down with Professor Hilding Neilson, a Mi’kmaw astronomer whose work bridges astrophysics, Indigenous knowledge, and new models of kinship for our relationship with the cosmos. Together, they explore how Indigenous worldviews may offer pathways for imagining a more responsible, relational future for humanity in outer space. ☕ Episode Overview - Dr. Salman Hameed and Professor Hilding Neilson discuss: - Why the Moon’s future is at a critical turning point - How commercial, political, and scientific interests are reshaping lunar priorities - What Indigenous methodologies offer that Western frameworks often miss - Whether new models of kinship can reshape how humanity approaches space - How this reimagining might guide the future of life beyond Earth 00:00 Introduction of "Chai on the Moon with Prof. Hilding Neilson 01:45 Indigenous Perspective on the Moon Exploration 06:30 What would be another way to protect our night skies? 09:25 Why space exploration should not be left to a few powerful nations? 11:02 How have indigenous people been neglected by the astronomy community? 14:50 Indigenous people have been compared to minority stakeholders by IAU, not as sovereign independent nations. 19:31 Moon as a National Park; what issue can arise from that? 24:25 What model can be used to govern the Moon? 30:50 How can we rethink and be anti-colonial about space? 34:20 How do we, so diverse people of the Earth to collectively think about the Moon? 40:31 How does exploration on the moon look like with an alternative view? 🎙 About Our Guest: Dr. Neilson is an interdisciplinary astrophysicist and a member of the Mi’kmaq community. His research bridges stellar physics with Indigenous knowledge systems, bringing forward new ways of understanding stars, the Universe, and humanity’s place within it. His scientific work focuses on stellar winds and the environments surrounding stars, while his broader scholarship examines how Indigenous methodologies can reshape astronomy, cosmology, and our future in space. 📄 Featured Work Indigenous knowledges and kinship as a model for our future in outer space Hilding Neilson (2024), accepted for publication in "Astronomy and Satellite Constellations: Pathways Forward", proceedings of IAU Symposium 385 https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.06669 👨‍🚀 About the Host: Dr. Salman Hameed holds a PhD in astronomy and serves as the Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College. He is also a faculty member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. Beyond academia, he is the CEO of Kainaat Studios, a non-profit dedicated to science communication and outreach. 🌌✨ #moon #apollo11 #nasa #documentary #podcast #lunar #astronomynews #astronomyadventures #astronomy #pakistan #southasia #space #spaceexploration #spacerace #spacex #interview #nonprofit #spacelaw #humanfuture #isro #spaceethics Subscribe to our NEW Kids English Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCdIRtt8-Og1q99bkK5XBhoQ Subscribe to our Kids Urdu Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCDt7wgStPBzuxtcAf2qqnkg Subscribe to our Urdu Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UClJlxaRQLPsx0gPIHgIZffw For more information about Kainaat Studios: https://www.kainaatstudios.com/ Sign up to our mailing list to get unseen content and hear special announcements! https://www.kainaatstudios.com/newsletter Follow us for more: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kainaatstudios Twitter https://twitter.com/KainaatStudios Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kainaatstudios/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@kainaatstudios LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/kainaat Credits: Written & Hosted by: Salman Hameed Edited by: Shehryar Shaikh Music: “Kainaat” by Umer Piracha Subtitles by: DigiCircle Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters): Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge Stellar Orbiters: AIIR Foundation, Ashraf Qazi, Aimen Khan, Slavena Emilova Molle and Abid & Farah Donation Fund Space Orbiters: Dr. Abdul Nadir, Dr. Asad Ansari, Dr. Salman Mallick, Dr. Tariq Hameed, Asif Alam, Zubair Faiz, Dr. Kamran Manzoor, Dr. Arsalan Malik and Junaid Qurashi Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well! If you wish to donate, please visit: https://www.kainaatstudios.com/donate

00:00 Expert/Panellists on the Global South 04:44 Countries that fall in the part of the Global South 07:34 Concerns about Human presence on the Moon; Dr Prajval Shashtri 12:40 Values and Priorities for Lunar Exploration; Ramaswamy Venugopal 15:30 Potential Regional Space Powers; Dr Samuel Oyewole 24:38 Pak-China Collaboration as a part of the Global South for Space 29:01 Historical, Settlercolonialism, Environmentalism in the Context; Dr Prajval Shashtri 33:01 U.S.'s Artemis, China's future missions and implications; Dr Samuel Oyewole 39:31 Protection for Our Sky; Astronomy from the Moon; Threat of Privatisation; Dr Salman 43:51 Moon as a source of Knowledge Generation; Dr Prajval Shashtri 49:19 Astronomy/Moon is an Issue for the Public and Millions of People 52:00 Coalition of Global South Countries for Protecting the Human Heritage on the Moon 🌕 When rockets ignite and nations race back to the Moon, whose dreams and risks take flight with them? Researchers warn that without inclusive governance, the Moon could become “a new arena for old patterns of exclusion” Who decides who benefits from lunar exploration, and how will billions in South Asia, Africa, and beyond make their voices heard? 🚀🌍 In this compelling episode of Chai on the Moon we dive into these stakes from a Global South perspective, asking: can space really be for all? Across the globe, a lunar boom is underway. NASA’s Artemis program is gearing up to return humans to the Moon by 2025, China and Russia plan joint lunar bases, and India recently became the first country to soft-land at the Moon’s South Pole. Even Africa has joined the race: on April 20, 2025, the African Union inaugurated the African Space Agency in Cairo’s Space City. With missions multiplying and billions on the line, this conversation is urgent, especially for South Asia and Africa, regions eager for a fair share of space’s promise. 🌐🚀 Key Questions: ⦁ 🤔 Who decides the rules of the new space race, and will Global South countries have a voice? ⦁ 🌐 How can communities in India, Nigeria, and elsewhere ensure they benefit from lunar resources and exploration? ⦁🌙 When humans reach the Moon’s south pole, will people from Lahore, Lagos, and Dhaka share in the adventure? 🎙 About Our Guest: Prof. Prajval Shastri (Astrophysicist, India): A veteran Indian astronomer (retired from IIAP, Bangalore) with decades of research on black holes and galaxies. She is a passionate educator and communicator, writing and speaking about astronomy literacy and science equity. Dr. Samuel Oyewole (Space Policy Expert, Nigeria/South Africa): A political scientist and space policy scholar. He is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Pretoria and lecturer in Nigeria, focusing on African space programs and security. Ramasamy Venugopal (IAU OAD, India/South Africa): Operations & Programs Manager at the International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development. He oversees global astronomy-for-development grants and projects in 100+ countries. 👨‍🚀 About the Host: Dr. Salman Hameed holds a PhD in astronomy and serves as the Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College. He is also a faculty member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. Beyond academia, he is the CEO of Kainaat Studios, a non-profit dedicated to science communication and outreach. 🌌✨ #moon #southasia #globalsouth #discussion #panel #astrophysics ##nasa #documentary #podcast #lunar #astronomynews #astronomyadventures #astronomy #pakistan #southasia #space #spaceexploration #spacex #interview #nonprofit #spacelaw #humanfuture #isro #spaceethics Sign up to our mailing list to get unseen content and hear special announcements! https://www.kainaatstudios.com/newsletter Follow us for more: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kainaatstudios Twitter https://twitter.com/KainaatStudios Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kainaatstudios/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@kainaatstudios LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/kainaat Credits: Written & Hosted by: Salman Hameed Edited by: Shehryar Shaikh Music: “Kainaat” by Umer Piracha Subtitles by: DigiCircle Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters): Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge Stellar Orbiters: AIIR Foundation, Ashraf Qazi, Aimen Khan, Slavena Emilova Molle and Abid & Farah Donation Fund Space Orbiters: Dr. Abdul Nadir, Dr. Asad Ansari, Dr. Salman Mallick, Dr. Tariq Hameed, Asif Alam, Zubair Faiz, Dr. Kamran Manzoor, Dr. Arsalan Malik and Junaid Qurashi Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well! If you wish to donate, please visit: https://www.kainaatstudios.com/donate

🚀 The Moon is getting crowded—but who decides what stays protected forever and what gets left behind? As space agencies and private companies from around the world rush to establish their lunar presence—🇮🇳 India's Chandrayaan missions, 🇨🇳 China's Chang'e program, 🇺🇸 America's Artemis initiative, and more—critical questions emerge about humanity's shared legacy in space. 🌍 Who has the authority to protect our collective heritage beyond Earth? 🏛️ What laws govern the preservation of historic sites like Apollo landing zones or future lunar settlements? ⚖️ Should we establish universal standards for lunar heritage protection before it's too late? In this compelling episode of "Chai on the Moon," astrophysicist and host Dr. Salman Hameed welcomes Prof. Michelle Hanlon, Co-Director of the Center for Air and Space Law and a pioneering voice in space law and heritage ethics. 💬 Their conversation explores: - Why current space law is struggling to keep pace with rapid lunar development - What meaningful international cooperation might look like in practice - The ethical and cultural responsibilities facing future lunar settlers - How South Asia's growing space presence shapes the global conversation 🌖🇵🇰🇮🇳 🎙️ This isn't just about rockets and rovers—it's about ethics, identity, and defining humanity's future among the stars. Perfect for science enthusiasts, space policy watchers, students, policymakers, or anyone curious about our species' next chapter beyond Earth. 🎙 About Our Guest: Professor Michelle Hanlon is revolutionizing how we think about space law and protecting our cosmic heritage! She holds a law degree and serves as Executive Director of Space Law at the University of Mississippi, tackling the big questions: Who owns what in space? How do we protect historic lunar landing sites? Professor Hanlon co-founded For All Moonkind, the world's only organization fighting to preserve human heritage in outer space. She's also the editorial voice behind two major legal journals covering space and drone law and works directly with the UN to shape policies for responsible space exploration. Leading a global network of 100+ experts, she's pioneering legal frameworks for everything from orbital debris cleanup to lunar heritage protection zones. 🚀⚖️ 👨‍🚀 About the Host: Dr. Salman Hameed holds a PhD in astronomy and serves as the Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College. He is also a faculty member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. Beyond academia, he is the CEO of Kainaat Studios, a non-profit dedicated to science communication and outreach. 🌌✨ #moon #apollo11 #nasa #documentary #podcast #lunar #astronomynews #astronomyadventures #astronomy #pakistan #southasia #space #spaceexploration #spacerace #spacex #interview #nonprofit #spacelaw #humanfuture #isro #spaceethics Subscribe to our NEW Kids English Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCdIRtt8-Og1q99bkK5XBhoQ Subscribe to our Kids Urdu Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCDt7wgStPBzuxtcAf2qqnkg Subscribe to our Urdu Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UClJlxaRQLPsx0gPIHgIZffw For more information about Kainaat Studios: https://www.kainaatstudios.com/ Sign up to our mailing list to get unseen content and hear special announcements! https://www.kainaatstudios.com/newsletter Follow us for more: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kainaatstudios Twitter https://twitter.com/KainaatStudios Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kainaatstudios/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@kainaatstudios LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/kainaat Credits: Written & Hosted by: Salman Hameed Edited by: Shehryar Shaikh Music: “Kainaat” by Umer Piracha Subtitles by: DigiCircle Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters): Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge Stellar Orbiters: AIIR Foundation, Ashraf Qazi, Aimen Khan, Slavena Emilova Molle and Abid & Farah Donation Fund Space Orbiters: Dr. Abdul Nadir, Dr. Asad Ansari, Dr. Salman Mallick, Dr. Tariq Hameed, Asif Alam, Zubair Faiz, Dr. Kamran Manzoor, Dr. Arsalan Malik and Junaid Qurashi Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well! If you wish to donate, please visit: https://www.kainaatstudios.com/donate

Human settlements on the Moon are on the horizon. However. There are significant health challenges. For example, the lunar regolith can impact the respiratory and central-nervous system. Long-term exposure to radiation on the lunar surface can have lethal consequences. There will be significant health issues even on a planet like Mars. In this episode of Chai on the Moon, we have a conversation with Dr. Martin Braddock on health hazards on the Moon. 🎙 About Our Guest: Dr. Martin Braddock is a professional scientist, project manager and project leader working for a large pharmaceutical company. He is the founder of GENIXICOLSULTINg LTD. He has published over 170 articles in many journals including Nature, Cell, Human Gene Therapy and Nature Drug Discovery and more recently papers in astronomical journals for which astronomy is a passionate hobby. He is a member of Sherwood Observatory in the UK, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. And he has a PhD in Radiation Biology (from the Radiation Biology Unit, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell Oxfordshire). Dr. Martin Braddock is available as a speaker as well: https://astrospeakers.org/provider/martin-braddock Reference papers: Martin Braddock, Hazards of Lunar Regolith for Respiratory, Central Nervous System, Cardiovascular and Ocular Function, November 2021, DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-81388-8_9 In book: The Human Factor in the Settlement of the Moon (pp.141-157) Konrad Szocik & Martin Braddock, Bioethical Issues in Human Modification for Protection against the Effects of Space Radiation, Space Policy, Volume 62, November 2022, 101505 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2022.101505 👨‍🚀 About the Host: Dr. Salman Hameed holds a PhD in astronomy and serves as the Charles Taylor Chair and Professor of Integrated Science & Humanities at Hampshire College. He is also a faculty member of the Five College Astronomy Department (FCAD) in Massachusetts, USA. Beyond academia, he is the CEO of Kainaat Studios, a non-profit dedicated to science communication and outreach. 🌌✨ #astronomynews #nasa #alternative #spacerace #moon #hazards #documentary #podcast #astronomyadventures #astronomy #space #universe #science #biology #toxins Subscribe to our NEW Kids English Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCdIRtt8-Og1q99bkK5XBhoQ Subscribe to our Kids Urdu Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UCDt7wgStPBzuxtcAf2qqnkg Subscribe to our Urdu Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UClJlxaRQLPsx0gPIHgIZffw For more information about Kainaat Studios: https://www.kainaatstudios.com/ Sign up to our mailing list to get unseen content and hear special announcements! https://www.kainaatstudios.com/newsletter Follow us for more: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kainaatstudios Twitter https://twitter.com/KainaatStudios Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kainaatstudios/ TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@kainaatstudios LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/kainaat Galactic Orbiters (Founding Supporters): Sahr Foundation, Dr. Zafar Iqbal & Dr. Mehr Iqbal, Qazi Family Foundation and PixelEdge Stellar Orbiters: AIIR Foundation, Ashraf Qazi, Aimen Khan, Slavena Emilova Molle and Abid & Farah Donation Fund Space Orbiters: Dr. Abdul Nadir, Dr. Asad Ansari, Dr. Salman Mallick, Dr. Tariq Hameed, Asif Alam, Zubair Faiz, Dr. Kamran Manzoor, Dr. Arsalan Malik and Junaid Qurashi Thank you to all our other monthly donors as well! If you wish to donate, please visit: https://www.kainaatstudios.com/donate Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:45 - Human settlement environment 00:08:28 - Effects of long-term low gravity 00:13:18 - Regolith challenges 00:18:25 - Regolith impact on health 00:21:03 - Preventive measures 00:30:00 - Neurological disruption 00:33:02 - Long term habitation 00:35:36 - Challenge of regolith on Mars 00:44:21 - Psychological difficulties 00:49:50 - Human Gene Modification 00:58:45 - Future on the Moon 01:05:32 - Show for All mankind