The new rover has been tested and put together by engineers, and all it requires now is a name.

Source: Space.com

Temporarily called Mars 2020, the rover is all set to launch in July or August 2020 for the search of microbial evidence on Mars’ Jezero Crater and is expected to land by February 18, 2021. Hi tech news says, it will also collect samples, which will be taken to the Earth through a future mission. 

(Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnuLxzocuhY)

Questing for names, NASA conducted a “Name the Rover” essay contest and invited students from kindergarten to 12th grade to suggest names for the robot. Interestingly, that’s how Curiosity, the last Mars rover, got its name. 

NASA received almost 28,000 essays after the contest began in August 2019. To help NASA pick the best among these submissions, thousands of people volunteered to judge and selected 155 semi-finalists.

“Thousands of students have shared their ideas for a name that will do our rover and the team proud,” said Lori Glaze, director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division in Washington.

This Tuesday, NASA narrowed down the pool to nine finalists and has now opened a public poll, where anyone can vote for their favorite name.

Announcing NASA’s decision, Glaze said: “Thousands more volunteered time to be part of the judging process. Now it is the public’s opportunity to become involved and express their excitement for their favorites of the final nine.”

Shortlisted Names 

Below provided is a list of shortlisted names for NASA’s rover along with the students’ grade level, complete name, and home state:

• Endurance, K-4, Oliver Jacobs of Virginia.

• Tenacity, K-4, Eamon Reilly of Pennsylvania.

• Promise, K-4, Amira Shanshiry of Massachusetts.

• Perseverance, 5-8, Alexander Mather of Virginia.

• Vision, 5-8, Hadley Green of Mississippi.

• Clarity, 5-8, Nora Benitez of California.

• Ingenuity, 9-12, Vaneeza Rupani of Alabama.

• Fortitude, 9-12, Anthony Yoon of Oklahoma.

• Courage, 9-12, Tori Gray of Louisiana.

Name Finalization 

People can vote for their favorite name through 27 January, and the final name is expected to be announced by March. Needless to say, NASA’s hunt for the name has been one of the most-streamed latest technology news.

After the poll closes, the nine finalist students will discuss their name ideas with the NASA panel, which includes the following people:

• Lori Glaze, director of NASA’s Planetary Science Division in Washington.

• Jessica Watkins, NASA astronaut.

• Nick Wiltsie, the rover driver.

• Clara Ma, the student who named former Mars rover, Curiosity, in a similar contest in 2009.

After the name is finalized, the winning student will be invited to watch the new rover launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.