NASA Invites Public to Send Their Names to the Moon Aboard Its VIPER Rover
"Send Your Name with VIPER" is an opportunity for space enthusiasts to be part of a historic lunar exploration mission and contribute to the understanding of the moon's resources and environment.
NASA is offering space enthusiasts the chance to send their names to the moon aboard the agency's upcoming robotic lunar rover, VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover). This campaign, "Send Your Name with VIPER," allows participants to have their names added to a special chip that will be installed on VIPER, scheduled for launch in November, 2024.
VIPER's primary mission is to explore the lunar South Pole and investigate the presence of water ice. This exploration is crucial for NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the moon. The rover will help scientists understand the lunar environment and resources, paving the way for future human missions.
Participants can submit their names through NASA's website until March 15, 2024, and will receive a virtual souvenir – a boarding pass to the VIPER mission. This initiative is part of NASA's tradition of involving the public in space exploration, with names previously sent aboard missions to Mars, the Moon, and beyond.