NASA is offering a cool opportunity: they’ll put your name on a spaceship and send it to Mars. You can’t go to Mars yourself, but your name can! NASA plans to send millions of people’s names to Mars as part of a future mission. And don’t worry, this isn’t a scam – it’s funded by taxpayers’ money.

How to Send Your Name to Mars
Sending your name to Mars is super easy. Here’s how:

• Go to NASA’s website.
• Enter the name you want to send to Mars.
• Fill in your country and zip code.
• If you share your email, you’ll join NASA’s “frequent flyer” club and get a virtual “boarding pass” to show off on social media or print out.

Over 10 Million Names Already on Mars

This isn’t the first time NASA has done this. In the past, they sent over 10 million names to Mars on tiny silicon chips. These chips are on Mars right now, hanging out with the Perseverance rover, which is exploring the planet. Those names are part of Mars history!

The Long History of Sending Names into Space

Sending people’s names into space is a way to get everyone excited about space exploration. NASA and other space agencies do it to keep people interested and supportive.

• In 1971, the names of 14 astronauts and cosmonauts were left on the moon by Apollo 15.
• The Planetary Society started sending their members’ names into space in 1996.
• Around 20 spacecraft have carried names into space, like the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the New Horizons probe.

Should We Share Our Names with Aliens?

Some people wonder if it’s a good idea to share our names with potential aliens who might intercept our spacecraft. So far, no extraterrestrial beings have responded. It’s still an open question!