You Can Help Name NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover

Jenny Flack

Who hasn’t always wanted to name an intergalactic robot?  I have.  You have.  Now you can!  NASA is running a contest to name the Mars 2020 Rover.  Nine finalists from all over the United States have had their names chosen, and we get to vote on our favorite! 

Each of the finalists is a kid, and each is from a particular age group.  Three kids were chosen in the K – 4th grade age range, three from grades 5 – 8 and three from grades 9 – 12.  All of the names are pretty impressive and forward-thinking.  Your options are as follows:

  • 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

Go to the NASA Name the Rover Contest to vote for your rover!  You can even read an essay from each of the finalists, explaining why they picked the name that they did.  They’re kind of awesome.  Read them. 

All of our votes will be considered in decision making.  The contest will conclude in March when a winner is announced.  That student will be invited to Cape Canaveral to watch the newly named rover launch into space in July or August 2020! 

You can vote as many times as you want.  You just need to get it done by 9pm PST on January 27th.  Have your say!  

RELATED:  If You Think the Mars 2020 Rover Is Just Like Curiosity, Think Again

Jenny Flack
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