Recently, both the media and social media have circulated the claim that “Ruthba Yasmin is going to be the first Bangladeshi to set foot on the moon.”
Media reports promoting such claims include: ATN News (YouTube), Mohona TV, News24, DBC News (YouTube), Ekhon TV, Boishakhi TV (YouTube), Bangla TV (Facebook), Amar Desh, Ajker Patrika, Jugantor, Kalbela, Kaler Kantho, Jaijaidin, Desh Rupantor, Inqilab, Manabkantha, Janakantha, Dhaka Prokash (Facebook), Thikana News, Face the People (YouTube), Rupali Bangladesh, Bangladesh Times, Dhaka Express, Cumilla Press (Facebook), Bay of Bengal Post, Khobor Songjog, Dainik Purbokone, Sylhet View24, BD Today, Delta Times24, Parbotto Somoy, MT News24, Shomoy News24, Climate Journal24, Amar Barishal24, Chatga News, Padma Sangbad, German Bangla Channel, Akashbani BD24, Dibalok, Bangla71, Web Bangladesh, Vinna Barta.
Additionally, several media outlets published and then later deleted or modified their reports about this claim. These include: NTV, Channel 24, Bangla Vision, and The Daily Campus.
See the post promoting this claim on a media outlet’s Facebook page here (archive).
Also, several notable individuals, including Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, shared posts promoting this claim.
See the post shared on Facebook here (archive).
See the post on Instagram here (archive).
See the post on LinkedIn here (archive).
Fact-check
Rumor Scanner’s investigation reveals that the claim that Ruthba Yasmin is going to be the first Bangladeshi to set foot on the moon is not true. In reality, Ruthba Yasmin participated in a three-day “moon mission simulation” training organized by a company named Space Nation. This organization is not sending anyone to the moon, and no other organization has named Ruthba in any mission that would send people to the moon.
Looking into the origins of the claim, a report was found on the mainstream news outlet The Business Standard, published on June 10 titled “Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon”. The report states that Ruthba completed Space Nation’s “Moon Pioneer Mission” training. Ruthba dreams of becoming the first Bangladeshi woman to step on the moon.
Further examination of Space Nation’s website shows that they offer a 3-day moon mission simulation training in Midland, Texas, USA. It also notes that no prior experience is required for the training. The company claims that a NASA astronaut is/will be present at the training. By reviewing the company’s Facebook page and Instagram account, the authenticity of Ruthba Yasmin’s participation in such training is confirmed. A post published on April 14 on their Facebook page also includes Ruthba’s name among the participants.
Researching the company’s background reveals from their website that Space Nation began in 2013 in Finland by two friends and started U.S. operations in 2019. However, no credible source indicates that the company is sending people to the moon.
Regarding actual lunar missions, research shows that the United States (source), China (source), and others are working on missions to land people on the moon. But no names have been confirmed for who will land there. The U.S. space agency NASA is planning to land humans on the moon in 2027 through its Artemis III mission. So far, no information has been released about who will land. Notably, in 2026, NASA’s Artemis II mission will orbit the moon with a crew whose names are already announced: Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen. This mission will not include a lunar landing.
Even after searching relevant keywords, no reliable source connects Ruthba Yasmin with any mission destined for the moon.
Conclusion
Therefore, the claim that Ruthba Yasmin is going to be the first Bangladeshi to set foot on the moon is misleading.
Sources
- Space Nation – Experience a REAL 3-Day Moon Mission Simulation with a NASA Astronaut in Midland, TX!
- Space Nation – About
- Space Nation – Facebook Post
- NASA – Artemis III
- NASA – Artemis II
- Rumor Scanner’s analysis
