A British reader has put forward a compelling proposal for managing the growing problem of space debris, suggesting that nations should agree to use a specific lunar crater as a dedicated dumping ground for defunct spacecraft.
A Celestial Solution to Space Junk
In a letter to the editor, Kartar Uppal from Streetly in the West Midlands expressed his hope that international space agencies would adopt the Jules Verne crater on the far side of the moon as a designated spacecraft graveyard. The idea is modelled on the current practice of using a remote area of the South Pacific Ocean, known as Point Nemo, as a cemetery for decommissioned space equipment.
Mr Uppal's suggestion comes in response to recent research, covered by the Guardian on 22 December, which indicated that specific patches of the lunar surface are being considered for exactly this purpose. Using a pre-agreed location like the Jules Verne crater would provide a controlled and consistent method for disposing of old satellites and probes, preventing random, potentially hazardous crashes across the lunar landscape.
Other Voices from the Letters Page
The proposal was one of several diverse topics raised by readers in the Guardian's letters section. Margaret Philip from Scole, Norfolk, recalled a darkly humorous local reaction to the 1980s nuclear incident in Ukraine. She remembered driving through Leiston, near the Sizewell power station, and seeing its town sign amended by a wag to read "Twinned with Chernobyl."
On the subject of planning reforms, Jude Carr from London reflected wryly on former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's old quip about the green belt being "a Labour achievement, and we mean to build on it." Carr noted that what was once a laughing matter is now a serious concern, echoing a report from 22 December about sports stars' fears over losing playing fields.
Cultural Tributes and Political Commentary
The letters also included a heartfelt tribute to the late musician Chris Rea from Hilary Alder in Woking, Surrey. Alder thanked Rea for providing the soundtrack to countless volunteer fundraising efforts across the country, signing off with the poignant sentiment, "enjoy the drive home."
Political commentary came from Adrian Riley in Sheffield, who responded to a 22 December report about former US President Donald Trump's announcement of new 'Trump-class' navy warships. Riley succinctly labelled the concept "an oxymoron."
Finally, the power of personal obituaries was highlighted by Nigel Linford from Eastbourne, who praised the moving tribute to Muriel Manning in the 'Other lives' section, stating such articles are a core reason he reads the publication.
