How the Partition of the Moon Began With the Hoisting of Flags By Wilson Macaulay

 

“Flags do not merely wave in the wind; they declare territory, triumph, and sometimes, a silent war.”

When Neil Armstrong the first human being to step his foot on moon planted the Stars and Stripes American  flag on the Moon’s gray soil in 1969, the world clapped.  History — always clever in hindsight — now sees that moment not only as a scientific leap, but as the first symbolic claim in what would become a new age of celestial colonialism or what can be called the partition of the Moon.

The Moon, long revered by poets and prophets, as a no go area have indeed become a real estate today , due to increase in scientific knowledge.That flutter less nylon flag, rigged with a telescoping rod to simulate motion, was the first shot in a quiet scrambled for the Moon not for Africa, as it was in Berlin Conference of 1885 — but for Luna , which is stepping up the game.

The Flag as a Claim: A Familiar Colonial Ritual

Like the European powers who carved up the African continent with ink and arrogance, in Berlin Germany, the spacefaring nations began laying their claim with flags, not treaties. The United States planted six flags during the Apollo missions. They never said “we own this area of Moon but the American flags stationed there whispered it all , this is our territory,"

Then came China, with its Chang’e missions. When their red flag unfurled on the far side of the Moon in 2019, it was the first act of lunar independence by a non-Western power — a geopolitical statement as much as a scientific one.

And now India, Russia, Japan, Israel, and the UAE are also targeting the Moon. Not to visit it — but to inhabit, mine, and possibly militarize it.

Treaties Are Paper. Power Is Practice.

Yes, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty forbids nations from claiming sovereignty over the Moon. But treaties are like locks — they keep out only those who agree to stay out.

Instead of overt colonization, we see "zones of interest" forming. The Artemis Accords, led by the U.S., and the Sino-Russian Lunar Pact, form new space blocs. Each group is choosing its lunar neighbors.

Just like Berlin in 1885, there's no African invited to the table. Also  to our utter dismay this time, no African  country is being consulted either.. Even though l heard of some blacks going to space, l fear so much if we will not end up as tenants in Moon by the time Nigeria will be ready for the space Race.

The Cold Vacuum of Competition

Beneath the noble language of science and exploration lies a fierce resource race. Water-ice in lunar craters can be turned into oxygen, fuel, and life support systems — critical for long-term space missions. Whoever controls these resources will dominate the next frontier.

The hoisting of flags was just the prelude. Moon bases are next. Mining operations. Then perhaps defense systems. Superpowers aren’t just reaching for the stars — they’re drawing lines in space.

 History Echoes in Silence

The Moon has no wind. Yet, those planted flags still stand — mute symbols of human ambition. Just as the African borders drawn by Europe ignored tribes and terrain, the lunar future is being shaped by those who arrived first — not those who deserve it most.

If history teaches anything, it is that claims made in silence become policy when unchallenged. The partition of the Moon didn’t begin with treaties or technology.

It began the moment a flag was planted — and no one objected.

Below  is a detailed overview of which countries have planted flags on the Moon, including the contexts and legal symbolism behind these acts:

Countries That Have Planted Flags on the Moon

United States

During the Apollo missions (Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17) between 1969–1972, astronauts physically planted six American flags on the lunar surface. Five are still standing today, although Apollo 11’s was dislodged by its ascent rocket exhaust. 

The flag assembly was specially designed with a horizontal rod to extend the flag in the Moon’s windless vacuum. 

The act was strictly symbolic—not a territorial claim—in line with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, signed by the U.S., USSR, and other nations. 

China

In 2019, China's Chang’e‑4 mission successfully landed on the far side of the Moon. The spacecraft unfurled a Chinese flag on the lunar surface—a landmark for its mission. 

This made China the second country after the U.S. to place a physical national flag on the Moon. Whether there was a full flagpole or a printed emblem varies by mission. 

Soviet Union (Russia)

The USSR never landed cosmonauts on the Moon, but in 1959, their Luna 2 impactor mission crashed on the lunar surface carrying a small Soviet flag—making it technically the first flag ever to reach the Moon, albeit not planted by hand. 

Though symbolic and incidental, it preceded any U.S. human-flag planting. That's is why Russia still pride herself as the first nation to touch or arrive on the Moon.

 Japan, India, and the European Space Agency (ESA)

These entities have sent unmanned landers or probes to the Moon displaying flags as part of their payloads. However, they haven't planted fabric flags with poles on the lunar surface. 

Context and Legal Framework

Symbol vs. Sovereignty

According to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, nations cannot claim sovereignty over celestial bodies—even if they plant flags. Flags are permitted only as symbolic gestures of presence or achievement, not territorial ownership. 

 Design and Deployment

For Apollo missions, NASA developed a flag assembly that included a horizontal bar to simulate a waving effect in the Moon’s windless environment. This overcame technical challenges like extreme temperatures, vacuum stress, and astronaut mobility constraints. 

The United States USA have  (6) Human-planted Flags during Apollo Rocket flights commencing 1969.  Five

of the  flags America planted in Moon still remain standing today. Even though they publicly claim it is only symbolic, with  no sovereignty intentions, l doubt if any other country can still go to that same territory in Moon.

China:  Yes have  their Flags in Moon  (1+) through the Chang’e‑4 / Chang’e‑5  with the flags planted by robots in the Far-side landing; independent planting

Soviet Union / Russia  Yes (symbolic) Luna 2 crash mission Small flag; not planted by hand

Japan, India, ESA  Unmanned only Probe payloads No planted flag poles but flags displayed

The Soviet Union was technically first to put a flag on the Moon via its Luna 2 probe in 1959, though this was passive and symbolic. The U.S. later solidified its lunar presence through a visible flag tradition during crewed Apollo landings. 

China’s Chang’e missions continue to redefine space exploration: the Chang’e‑6 mission not only collected lunar soil but also raised the flag on the far side of the Moon—a first in lunar history. 

The  "Partition of the Moon"   captures the symbolic and political undertones of space exploration in a way that  is both historical and visionary. 

The Partition of the Moon which started in 1959 have entered a new stage that can be called modern lunar “partition” is unfolding — especially regarding the flag-planting symbolism and how Japan, Russia, Britain, China, and others are involved in this new celestial race.

The Partition of the Moon: 

Beyond the Physical Flags 

 The United States' First Move in 1969

When Neil Armstrong planted the Stars and Stripes on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, it wasn’t just a patriotic moment — it was a message. Though the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 forbids any nation from claiming ownership of celestial bodies, the act of planting a flag became a silent signal of presence and capability. America would go on to plant six flags on the lunar surface during its Apollo missions.

 The Other Players: Rising Stakes in the Lunar Game

Russia (Formerly Soviet Union)

The Soviets were first to land an unmanned craft on the Moon (Luna 2 in 1959) and first to bring lunar soil back.

In 2023, Russia returned with Luna 25 — though the mission failed, the intention was to establish a permanent presence on the Moon’s South Pole to make headlines in the lunar race 

 Currently,Russia is working with China on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), aimed for the 2030s.

 China

In 2013, China landed in Moon  with the Chang’e-3 rover, followed by Chang’e-4, which became the first craft to land on the far side of the Moon.

In 2020, Chang’e-5 brought Moon samples back to Earth.

The Chinese lunar program plans human landings by 2030 and a long-term base in Moon at the lunar South Pole.

China has hinted at planting its flag with a manned mission soon.

🇯🇵 Japan

Japan has launched multiple lunar missions under JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

In 2023, SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) successfully touched down — Japan’s first lunar landing.

Japan is part of NASA’s Artemis Accords and intends to contribute technology and robotics to Artemis lunar bases.

United Kingdom

The UK does not currently have independent Moon landing capability.

However, it is part of the ESA (European Space Agency) and contributes to lunar projects via robotics, communications, and research.

British scientists are involved in Moon mining exploration projects and the Artemis program as well.

India

With Chandrayaan, India became the first country to land near the Moon’s South Pole.

India also planted its flag — symbolically via robotic rover — and announced further exploration plans.

The Legal Paradox: Who Owns the Moon?

The Outer Space Treaty (1967) prohibits national appropriation of any part of the Moon.

However, flags, infrastructure, and long-term presence are becoming de facto forms of territorial soft claims.

In 2020, the Artemis Accords (led by the US and signed by over 30 nations) introduced “safety zones” around lunar bases — raising fears of modern colonialism in space.

Conclusion: A New Berlin Conference Among the Stars?

Unlike the partition of Africa, the partition of the Moon is happening without formal negotiation.

Flags, landers, and bases are becoming silent markers of influence.

The next 10 years will define whether Luna becomes a shared realm or a playground for space superpowers.

Written by:

Wilson Macaulay is a columnist, poet, and political observer who believes that space is not just the final frontier, but the next battlefield of power.