From Moon Mission to Paducah Soil: Challenger Center to Reveal Name of Artemis Moon Tree

Published on Sep 23, 2025

A tree that journeyed around the moon is now rooted in western Kentucky — and it’s about to get its name. The Challenger Learning Center at Paducah will host a public unveiling of the official name of its Artemis Moon Tree during a celebration on Thursday, Sept. 25.

The Moon Tree, a sweet gum sapling grown from a seed that orbited the moon aboard NASA’s Artemis I mission in 2022, was one of 2,000 distributed globally by the U.S. Forest Service and NASA. The tree was planted outside the center in October 2024 and survived its first winter. A community contest was held earlier this year to choose its name through public suggestions and voting.

WHAT: Moon Tree Name Unveiling

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 25, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Challenger Learning Center lawn, 4810 Alben Barkley Drive, Paducah, Kentucky

WHO: Open to the public; hosted by the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah

The event is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service at Land Between the Lakes.

For more information, contact:
Melissa Duncan, Center Director
West Kentucky Community & Technical College
Challenger Learning Center at Paducah
(270) 534-3097