Nike Space Force 1! Moon rover launching in 2026 will offer brands the ... trends now
Sci-fi stories have long portrayed human settlements on the moon as filled with glitzy ads and bright neon billboards.
For example, in the 2019 film 'Ad Astra', a lunar colony is peppered with logos of big brands including Virgin, Apple and Atico.
Now it seems two US companies are about to take a giant leap for advertising by making this a reality in just a few years.
Californian startup Astrolab has signed a deal with a creative agency called Group of Humans to offer brands the chance to advertise on the moon.
Astrolab is aiming to send its 'Flex' rover to the moon in 2026, although it's unclear exactly how the lunar buggy would be involved in flogging the latest products.
Astrolab is aiming to send its 'Flex' rover to the moon in 2026 , although it's unclear exactly how the lunar buggy would be involved in flogging the latest products. Ads could potentially be displayed on the side of the buggy, which has been designed to transport humans and materials around the moon (MailOnline's impression)
In the 2019 film Ad Astra, a future colony on the moon is peppered with the logos of big brands including Virgin, Apple and Atico
Ads could potentially be displayed on the side of the buggy, which has been designed to transport humans and materials around the moon.
Rob Noble, founder of Group of Humans, told the Times that brands in sectors including telecommunications, construction and art could benefit from lunar ads.
The firm has developed a 'lunar charter' that all participating brands must sign which sets out a commitment to the 'betterment of life on Earth'.
'Brands can really stand out as a result of putting themselves into this situation where there is no atmosphere and limited gravity,' Mr Noble said.
'You're exposing your products to all sorts of extremes that will help you learn while proving to consumers that it's really strong.'
The idea of product placement during space travel is nothing new, he pointed out.
For example, during the Apollo missions of the 1960s, Omega's Speedmaster wristwatch made up an official part of each astronaut's kit.
And NASA is working with Prada to design spacesuits for astronauts to wear to the moon on the Artemis III mission.
Californian space startup Astrolab is aiming to send its 'Flex' rover to the moon in 2026, aimed at transporting cargo and astronauts
NASA hopes to develop a sustainable lunar exploration program starting from 2028. This artist's illustration shows what NASA's Artemis base camp could look like
But Noble ruled out any kind of 'stunt' akin to the recent failed Peregrine One mission to the moon, which carried the remains of remains of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.
Unfortunately, Peregrine One burnt up in the Earth's atmosphere having never reached the lunar surface, meaning Roddenberry's remains were lost.
'It isn't about rubbish stunts to send up Star Trek remains,' he said.
'We are focused on making sure that the resources of
