Naming the Mars Rover

WALL-E and NASA have joined forces to find a kid-friendly name for the new Mars Rover. The naming contest , open to students ages 5-18, will reward finalists with visits to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the winner with a place in the history of space exploration. This month, 9 of the name candidates will be revealed as finalists, and the public will have a chance to vote on their favorite.

Twin intrepid rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, have been on Mars since 2004, making many discoveries and relaying more than a quarter million pictures back to Earth. When the new Mars Rover visits the red planet in 2011, it will bring with it a more sophisticated set of instruments and capabilities, and endless possibilities.

Because the new rover will launch the most exciting robotic mission to date, it is understandable that
NASA wants to inspire and captivate student interest in the project. At best- a fun new name will spark interest in space exploration for an entire generation. At worst, well, anything will be an improvement on the current moniker, Mars Science Laboratory.

Check here for updates on the finalists!

What would you name it?

Contributed by: Maghan Cook