If 2024 was the year you were hoping for a good year, then US space agency NASA has the perfect solution.
He invites people to send their names to the lunar surface aboard his first robotic rover. adderwhich stands for “Volatile Investigation on the Polar Exploration Rover”.
The rover is expected to travel to the moon’s south pole in late 2024 as part of a long-term plan to reach the Moon and eventually Mars.
But if you want your name to reach the moon, you need to register quickly.
Here you will find everything you need to know.
Why is NASA going to the moon again?
The US space agency hopes to explore more of the Moon than ever before, and this new era of lunar exploration is named Artemis, after Apollo’s twin sister and goddess of the Moon.
As part of the Artemis program, NASA plans to land the first woman and the first person of color on the moon.
The goal is also to use innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon.
Robber adderAbout the size of a golf cart, it is on a 100-day mission to the moon’s south pole to unlock the secrets of lunar water and better understand its environment.
The long-term goal is to use the results of the lunar missions for the next big step and send the first astronauts to Mars.
“Us adder is a game changer,” said Daniel Andrews, rover project manager at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California. “This is the first mission of its kind, designed to expand our understanding of where lunar resources can be mined to support the long-term human presence on Earth. On the moon.”
How to send your name to the moon
As part of the “Submit Your Name with Viper” campaign, NASA is accepting names received by March 15 at 11:59 pm EST.
Once the names are collected, the agency writes them down and attaches them to the rover.
To add your name, follow the link: https://www.nasa.gov/send-your-name-with-viper
Participants can also create and download a virtual souvenir – a boarding pass. adder A mission with their name in memory of this experience.
They are then encouraged to share their requests on social media using the hashtag #SendYourName.
Nicola Fox, deputy director of the Science Mission Directorate at NASA headquarters in Washington, said: adderWe will explore and explore parts of the lunar surface that no one has set foot on before – and with this campaign we invite the world to be part of this risky but rewarding journey.
“Just think: our names will remain with us adder navigates the rugged terrain of the Moon’s south pole and collects valuable data that will help us better understand the history of the Moon and the environment into which we plan to send Artemis astronauts.
The campaign is similar to previous NASA efforts that have allowed tens of millions of people to submit their names to fly on Artemis I, several Mars spacecraft and the agency’s upcoming Europa Clipper mission, and builds on the agency’s long tradition of sending inspirational messages aboard spacecraft. who explored the solar system.
What will Viper do on the Moon?
adder It is expected to arrive on the lunar surface in late 2024 on Astrobotic Technology’s Griffin One mission.
The launch will take place aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative as part of the Artemis program.
Once upon a time, adder will rely on its solar panels and batteries for its expected 100-day mission.
It will withstand extreme temperatures, challenging lighting and terrain conditions, and will use its drill, camera and scientific instruments to collect data on the properties and concentrations of lunar ice and other possible resources on the Moon.
This is then processed adderIt will be captured by the onboard computer and sent back to Earth to support future missions.