The Apollo 11 Moon landing was a remarkable achievement, shaping global politics and popular culture. In 2019, the 50th anniversary celebrations of the mission attracted fevered attention and unquestioned endorsement of NASA’s 1969 accomplishment. The anniversary prompted politicians, scientists, and commentators to raise the issue of renewed investment in Space exploration. Interestingly, few seemed to question the deeper ethical questions surrounding Space travel.

Considering the relentless drought, fires, freak storms and the recent pandemic, mankind might obtain greater benefit from focussing attention and public funds on issues that are closer to home, that burn less fuel and address humanity’s expanding footprint.

In response to the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, we coordinated a parallel alter-mission, transforming the historic Ready- Cut Cottage in Namadgi National Park into our own SpaceCraft, piloted by Gudgenauts Jack Nicol and Jill Pagan.

Over a period of 8 days 3 hours and 18 minutes - just like the NASA Astronauts 50 years prior - Jack and Jill bravely launched, left this atmosphere, took a Moon walk and came home. They collected artefacts that, together with carefully selected mission paraphernalia, are presented here to celebrate, question and parody Space travel then and now.