EXPLORE


JOINRENEWJOIN

Year in Space Calendar
  

Planetary News: Mars Science Laboratory (2009)

Deadline Nears for Student Contest to Name NASA's Next Mars Rover

 

January 16, 2009
Zap!
Click to enlarge >
Zap!
Mars Science Laboratory is equipped with a laser that can vaporize small amounts of rock for analysis from a distance with the ChemCam spectrometer mounted on the rover's mast. Credit: NASA / JPL

NASA is issuing a last call to the nation's youth for entries in a contest to name the Mars Science Laboratory rover, set to launch in 2011.

The naming contest, in partnership with Disney-Pixar's WALL-E, invites ideas from students 5 to 18 years old and enrolled in a U.S. school. Entries will be accepted until midnight January 25, 2009.

The contest calls for essays explaining why the entrant’s suggested name for the rover is the right fit. In March, the public will have an opportunity to rank nine finalist names via the Internet as additional input for judges to consider. In April, NASA will announce the winning name.

In 2003, The Planetary Society helped run a contest with the LEGO Corporation and NASA to name the Mars Exploration Rovers. Sofi Collis -- then just 9 years old -- came up with the winning entry of "Spirit" and "Opportunity."

More On Mars Science Laboratory


The Mars Science Laboratory rover will be larger and more capable than any craft previously sent to land on the Red Planet. The rover will check to see whether the environment in a selected landing region ever has been favorable for supporting microbial life and preserving evidence of life. The rover also will search for minerals that formed in the presence of water and look for several chemical building blocks of life. NASA is currently building and testing the rover.

For contest information and rules visit: http://marsrovername.jpl.nasa.gov