A woman is suing NASA over moon dust she claims is from Neil Armstrong, just in case the government comes after her and tries to claim her prized possession, Ars Technica reported.
In the past, NASA has seized lunar material and launched criminal investigations from the standpoint that any private person cannot legally own such artifacts.
Laura Murray Cicco is determined to hang on to her lunar sample, though, and has taken preventative measures by filing a lawsuit asking that a federal court in Kansas to declare that she is the rightful owner of the lunar dust.
According to the legal document, Cicco's father was friends with Armstrong during the 1970s, when both men were living in Cincinnati, Ars Technica said.
It was during this period that the famed Apollo 11 astronaut reportedly handed her a glass vial containing grey dust and a note that read "To Laura Ann Murray — Best of luck — Neil Armstrong Apollo 11."
At the time, the young Cicco was not interested in the gift, saying she was more interested in her Barbie dolls and riding her bike, but now she refuses to part ways with the artifact, The Kansas City Star reported.
"Laura was rightfully given this stuff by Neil Armstrong so it's hers and we just want to establish that legally," said Chris McHugh, the Kansas City attorney who filed the case.
A scientist hired by McHugh to test the authenticity of the lunar sample concluded that "at this point, it would be difficult to rule out lunar origin," Ars Technica noted.
In court filings, McHugh said the lunar sample has been moved to an undisclosed location in Kansas, while Cicco continues to live in Tennessee.
"There is no law against private persons owning lunar material. Lunar material is not contraband," he said. "It is not illegal to own or possess."
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