A non-profit initiative to curate and safeguard human artifacts across the universe.

Memory Disc

The Memory Disc module carries modern-day hieroglyphs into the cosmos, preserving essential human artifacts for future generations and civilizations to uncover. Serving as both a cultural archive and a psychological anchor, it provides a symbolic link to our shared existence.

Nano Engraving Breakthrough

The Memory Disc is built with NanoFiche technology, which redefines permanent data storage. Crafted from raw nickel and engraved with nanoscale precision of 420x the width of human hair, it withstands cosmic extremes like radiation, magnetic fields, and intense heat. Fully accessible via optical magnification, this module can preserve information for millions of years.

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Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of Memory Disc V3 sections conducted by our imaging partner HTV Conservation in Germany.

Degradation-Resistant and Everlasting

Using a laser to nano engrave content onto a nickel plate enables the storage of over 1000 book pages and high res images worth of information or approximately 4.5GB on a compact 19x19mm disc.

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Original French Edition of Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

286 Translations of UNESCO’s Constitution Preamble

106 Curated Artworks

Universal Metrics and Navigation Section

Visual Sound Recording by Richard D. James (Aphex Twin)

We are not alone.

Original French Edition of Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

286 Translations of UNESCO’s Constitution Preamble

106 Curated Artworks

Universal Metrics and Navigation Section

Visual Sound Recording by Richard D. James (Aphex Twin)

We are not alone.

Astrolab team members demonstrate Memory Disc V3 integration on FLIP Lunar Rover Test Vehicle (image: Astrolab)

We partner with a variety of scientific and cultural organizations to develop and integrate the Memory Disc, and distribute it across the universe.

Connection to Home

The first Memory Disc, themed “Connection to Home,” is divided into four segments exploring humanity’s relationship with ourselves, each other, Earth, and space. As part of Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 mission, it is the first U.S. lunar payload since Apollo, successfully delivered to the Moon’s South Pole at Malapert A. It also marks the first preservation of a Memory Disc beyond Earth, safeguarding its content for millions of years, and achieving full validation of NanoFiche at Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL 9).

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UNESCO Partnership

The second version of the Memory Disc was co-created with UNESCO, and introduced 275 unique translations of the UNESCO preamble. Unveiled at the Universal Acceptance Information Meeting at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on May 6, 2024, it was announced that Memory Disc V2 will be delivered to the Moon as part of a private Japanese space mission.

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Contemporary Art

Memory Disc V3 expands its artistic scope with selected works by contemporary artists, including contributions from children through our partnership with R.O.C.K. (Real Options for City Kids), a youth development nonprofit based in San Francisco. Set to join lunar missions by Astrobotic in 2025 and ispace in 2027, it will broaden our signal and redundancy on the Moon.

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Integration

Memory Disc V3

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View exact landing site coordinates here

Let's connect

The Memory Disc is crafted not only to preserve, but to connect. As the initiative continues to grow, we welcome organizations, artists and collaborators to join us in shaping this enduring signal. With upcoming integrations on crewed missions and deep space probes, the Memory Disc extends its reach beyond the Moon, into the Solar System and the wider cosmos. Get in touch to shape this unfolding legacy together with us.

Memory Disc

The Memory Disc module carries modern-day hieroglyphs into the cosmos, preserving essential human artifacts for future generations and civilizations to uncover. Serving as both a cultural archive and a psychological anchor, it provides a symbolic link to our shared existence.

Nano Engraving Breakthrough

Degradation-Resistant and Everlasting

We partner with a variety of scientific and cultural organizations to develop and integrate the Memory Disc, and distribute it across the universe.

Connection to Home

UNESCO Partnership

Contemporary Art

Lunar Missions

Intuitive Machines IM-1 (USA)

Private Mission (Japan)

Astrolab FLIP (USA)

Astrobotic's Griffin-1 (USA)

ispace-U.S. Mission 3 (USA, Europe)

Let's connect

Join the mission