NASA is inviting the public to send their names on a microchip to
destinations beyond low-Earth orbit, including Mars. Image credit: NASA. Larger image
If only your name could collect frequent flyer miles. NASA is
inviting the public to send their names on a microchip to destinations
beyond low-Earth orbit, including Mars.
Your name will begin its journey on a dime-sized microchip when the
agency's Orion spacecraft launches Dec. 4 on its first flight,
designated Exploration Flight Test-1. After a 4.5-hour, two-orbit
mission around Earth to test Orion's systems, the spacecraft will travel
back through the atmosphere at speeds approaching 20,000 mph and
temperatures near 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit, before splashing down in the
Pacific Ocean.
But the journey for your name doesn't end there. After returning to
Earth, the names will fly on future NASA exploration flights and
missions to Mars. With each flight, selected individuals will accrue
more miles as members of a global space-faring society.
"NASA is pushing the boundaries of exploration and working hard to
send people to Mars in the future," said Mark Geyer, Orion Program
manager. "When we set foot on the Red Planet, we'll be exploring for all
of humanity. Flying these names will enable people to be part of our
journey."
The deadline for receiving a personal "boarding pass" on Orion's test
flight closes Friday, Oct. 31. The public will have an opportunity to
keep submitting names beyond Oct. 31 to be included on future test
flights and future NASA missions to Mars.
To submit your name to fly on Orion's flight test, visit: http://go.usa.gov/vcpz
Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #JourneyToMars.
For information about Orion and its first flight, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/orion
Guy Webster
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California
818-354-7013
guy.webster@jpl.nasa.gov
Brandi Dean
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
brandi.k.dean@nasa.gov
Rachel Kraft / Dwayne Brown
NASA Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100 / 202-358-1726
rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov / dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov
Source: JPL-Caltech - News
