The Philippines is one of top countries sending names to Mars

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is offering everyone a chance to send their names to Mars.

The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover is scheduled for launch tonight. The rover will carry three silicon chips that will bear the names of almost 11 million people.

NASA extended the invitation to the entire world through a Twitter post.

In order to do this, you need to submit your name here. This is also where you can get your boarding pass.

name to mars perseverance rover 2020

Photo from NASA

Once you’ve been approved, you will receive a boarding pass. Then, your name will be etched on a microchip that will get to ride the Mars rover.

When it comes to sending names to Mars, the Philippines is one of the leading countries. There are close to 11 million submissions ticking off the #CountdownToMars, close to 70,000 people submitted their names from our country— putting us at rank 23.

Topping the list is Brazil, with 150,000 names submitted.

For those who missed this opportunity, NASA has already started collecting names for another mission involving a yet-to-be-identified spacecraft heading for Mars.

“This opportunity will remain open and does not have a close date yet. A close date will be announced as the mission that will fly the names is identified. That’s a few years away, so in the meantime, tell your friends and family to sign up!” NASA wrote on its FAQ page.

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