Its been years since the talk of exploring Mars has been introduced and people have shown interest in the concept. Now, people can apply to get closer to that reality, or at least have their name be part of it.
Right now, NASA is taking applications for people to have their names etched into one of three (or possibly more) silicon chips attached to a plate mounted on a future spacecraft. The spacecraft is as of yet unnamed however to quote their FAQ, “your name will fly on a future NASA mission to Mars in the mid-2020s. The spacecraft hasn’t been identified but we are taking names now that will eventually be placed on a spacecraft headed to Mars.”
Mom, I’m going to Mars!
Or at least my name is. You can send your name to Mars as well to ride the Perseverance Rover. All you have to do is apply if you want to have your name considered for the next trip to Mars.
According to the site, “all submitted names are reviewed, approved, and then etched onto a microchip. The microchip is placed aboard the Mars 2020 rover, which will land on Mars. If you are sending your name on a future mission to Mars, your flight has not been identified yet.”
When I land on Mars I won’t be alone. Riding with me are nearly 11 million Boarding Pass holders whose names are onboard.
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) February 1, 2021
Get your pass or sign up for the next mission to Mars as we #CountdownToMars landing on Feb 18. https://t.co/P1ta0Ojq6T pic.twitter.com/FimiAEsOt2
With all the exciting breakthroughs happening in space travel right now who knows what the next mission to Mars will be for. Some people want to put humans on Mars in the next 3 years others want to do test runs on the moon and study the topography and layout of Mars to better understand what we will be dealing with when we do finally get there. One thing is for sure, NASA has plenty of missions planned with Mars in mind for the future and you and I can be apart of some of those missions.
Photo credits: The featured image is owned by NASA and has been provided for press usage. The image used in the body of the article has been taken by the author for TechAcute.
