The First Home on the Moon Won’t Be American or Russian — It’s a Swedish Cottage
Sweden just did something pretty out of this world—literally.
On June 5, a tiny red cottage known as “The MoonHouse” is set to land on the actual Moon. Yes, you read that right. A traditional Swedish stuga, the kind you’d find nestled in the forests of Dalarna or perched by a quiet lakeside, is about to become the first house ever placed on the Moon. And this isn’t a sci-fi movie plot—it’s real, and it’s been in the works for over two decades.
So, how exactly does a red wooden house end up in space?
It all started with Swedish artist Mikael Genberg, who dreamed up the idea 26 years ago as both a whimsical artistic statement and a symbol of universal comfort—what he calls “home.” His vision has now quite literally taken flight aboard a Japanese ispace mission. After a four-month journey through space, the stuga will be gently lowered onto the lunar surface in the Mare Frigoris (aka the Sea of Cold) by a lander fittingly named RESILIENCE and a rover called TENACIOUS.
This Moon mission isn’t just about quirky innovation. It’s a bold expression of Swedish creativity, and it comes with a message: home is something we all long for, no matter how far we travel—even if that travel takes us 238,855 miles away.
Visit Sweden, the country’s official tourism organization, has fully embraced the project. “The idea that a symbol so dear to our culture is about to reach the Moon fills us with pride and admiration,” said CEO Susanne Andersson. “It embodies the spirit of Swedish innovation, openness, and bold curiosity.”
That spirit has been on full display lately, from the country’s trailblazing efforts to trademark its name to the incredible culinary experiences hidden deep in the woods—where I once had a meal so unforgettable, it still tops anything I’ve eaten in New York or Tokyo.
And don’t worry, Sweden is still much easier to visit than the Moon. While the MoonHouse will soon become an extraterrestrial ambassador for the Swedish lifestyle, the real-life red cottages are waiting right here on Earth. They’re scattered all across the country and invite travelers to slow down, unplug, and reconnect with nature in the most charming way possible.
And in perfect timing, the MoonHouse’s lunar touchdown will happen just hours before Sweden celebrates its National Day on June 6. You can even watch the landing live (June 5 at 09:24 PM CET)—because who doesn’t want to witness a house land on the Moon?
So, while space travel might still be out of reach for most of us, a trip to Sweden and a stay in your own cozy stuga? That’s 100% doable. And in my opinion, just as magical.
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