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.
NOW BOARDING: Iโm ready to fly; are you? Grab your boarding pass and letโs go. #CountdownToMars
Get your boarding pass: https://t.co/6xyix6gsOM
New flyer? Send your name on a future mission: https://t.co/i1GsSnsFWf pic.twitter.com/GZkMljSB7Q
โ NASA’s Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) July 29, 2020
In order to do this, you need to submit your name here. This is also where you can get your boarding pass.
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.
โThis 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. Thatโs a few years away, so in the meantime, tell your friends and family to sign up!โ NASA wrote on its FAQ page.
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