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August 7th, 2006: The original high-resolution tapes of the NASA moon landings have been lost and have yet to be digitised.

In what can only be described as a catalogue of historic records management mistakes, the original, high-resolution, 14-inch magnetic tapes of the 1969 Apollo moon landing have bee misplaced.

The tapes constitute the only hi-res images of the moment and should not be confused with the grainy television footage that was downgraded so that it could be broadcast. None of the 700 boxes of tapes has yet been converted to digital format.

The tragic story continues in a manner that will depress records managers and those concerned with digital asset management, but will surely encourage ongoing conspiracy theories. The tapes were moved from their original storage location, Goddard Space Flight Center to the US National Archive in 1970 before being moved back in 1984. Documents exist to show the transfer out but no record appears to exist of receipt.

Scientists at Australia's Parkes Observatory are part of the team now actively searching for the originals.

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