Name that Mars rover

J. McCright - La Plata, MD — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:04:33 GMT

It should be noted that the contest is essentially closed to all ages under 14 now as they are only allowed to mail-in their entries. The contest ends at 11:59pm on Sunday the 25th. Mail is only delivered on Saturday. So, unless you overnight it and get to the post office NOW, your child is out of luck. Ages 14 to 17 still have a chance.

Name that Mars rover

PATTI COSSEY MECHANICSBURG, OHIO — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:35:44 GMT

Manicotte

Name that Mars rover

Barry U. Headinsand — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:11:38 GMT

It's a no-brainer....
name it Rover.
Good name for a dog, & this thing's supposed to "fetch" data, isn't it? I can't believe you've got a room full of rocket scientists & they couldn't think of this one.

Name that Mars rover

Cory, Benton, Maine — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:30:10 GMT

Obviously this rover should be named "red".
Red Rover...we all played the game growing up and some still do.
Very fitting.

Name that Mars rover

Chris, Savannah Ga — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:35:33 GMT

Dreamer - For all of the scientists that have dreamed of traveling to Mars. Also for all of the sleepless nights the engineers have had and will have until it lands.

Name that Mars rover

Karen, Salt Lake City, UT — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:39:10 GMT

I think I would name it Nostradamus, or, if it has a successful landing, name it Triumph.

Name that Mars rover

Alan Kirshen — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:50:49 GMT

Snoopy

Name that Mars rover

Chip — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 22:58:50 GMT

How about "We'reTwoDeepintheRedforAnotherSandBoxToy"?
Little long, but NASA loves acronyms: W2DRASBT Lander
How about "ThatGargantuanBlackHoleofUSAeroSpaceToys"?
"GBHUSAST", pronounced "20M Americans soon homeless"

Name that Mars rover

Craig Wall , San Antonio, Texas — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:07:51 GMT

It's a Rover, right? How about "Spot"?.... as in "see spot run" and "trying to spot signs of life" (and "leaving little spots everywhere")....plus it has that "-bot" kind of feel to it....

Name that Mars rover

terry — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:42:21 GMT

How about, "Snoopy"?

Name that Mars rover

MD , pisgah forest, nc — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:09:24 GMT

"red rover, red rover, send NASA right over"

Name that Mars rover

J D, Cape Canaveral, FL — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:21:36 GMT

May I suggest 'Hope'?
Hope for a better future for all mankind.

Name that Mars rover

Matt Brookhart — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:34:06 GMT

Call the rover Sheila Jackson Lee after that idiot that thought we were looking for golf balls on Mars.

Name that Mars rover

JOHN JEFFERS, CHARLESTON, WV — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:47:32 GMT

NAME IT FOR ITS MISSIONS PURPOSE,"LOGOS".

Name that Mars rover

erik moore — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 01:05:45 GMT

hoover

Name that Mars rover

Barry W. Shook — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:55:57 GMT

It should be named "SpringBox" for many reasons. I'll leave it to the kids to explain the reasons.

Name that Mars rover

Amanda Shelly Dallas,TX — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 02:59:48 GMT

you should name it wall-e

Name that Mars rover

S, Austin — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:44:22 GMT

OBAMA

Come on, you know someone had to say it!

Name that Mars rover

JC, Fairbanks, AK — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:51:23 GMT

I'm with JD of the Cape.

Name that Mars rover

Andy, DeKalb, IL — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 05:13:50 GMT

@Chip: Seriously? NASA is NOT what is draining the American budget. Come on now. Their cut is something like one percent, less maybe. Instead of downing on projects that actually add something to society why don't you complain about the DOD wasting billions on the next generation of fighter planes for an already globally dominant Air Force. Or the construction of new nuclear submarines in a world where the battlefield has shifted decisively toward unconventional, guerrilla and asymmetrical warfare. [...]

Name that Mars rover

Halid Hadziabdic — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 05:32:29 GMT

Name it Akhisary.

Name that Mars rover

Dave Brody — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 05:59:27 GMT

I'd have to go for Maybach, Bugatti or maybe Coburn Spyder given NASA's annoying propensity for taking too long to build very small numbers of very expensive individually-tooled supercars. Probably a good thing this contest closed to me four decades ago...

Name that Mars rover

Kenny, Huntington, West Virginia — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:32:31 GMT

Hexabot since it has six wheels

Name that Mars rover

Eric J. Sundet,Arvada, Colorado — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 07:09:10 GMT

I think the Mars Science Laboratory should be named "Mr Spock" in honor and reference to the Star Trek character who was part human and part Vulcan. Because he was Vulcan, he had no emotions, but because he was also part human he was curious and persistent in the pursuit of exploration. The new Mars Science Laboratory is devoid of human emotions and completely dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. This is why I think the name should be "Mr Spock".

Name that Mars rover

Marianna, Erie, PA — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 11:09:39 GMT

Name it "DROMEDAR" - camel of the Martian Desert

Name that Mars rover

Cheryl Fields,Shrevport,Louisiana — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:25:45 GMT

How about 'Tinker', 'Twilight','Sagan' or Hawking.

Name that Mars rover

JC, Fairbanks, AK — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:32:32 GMT

If long acronyms are the criteria we could name it "Someone's so Nearsighted hE neEds Radar to tie his Shoes" . . .

Name that Mars rover

john doe, seattle, wash. — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:59:55 GMT

Dora the explorer.

Name that Mars rover

Eric, Salinas, CA — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:38:12 GMT

Now here's a fun article Alan. Now I hope you remind us with a followup article in May to remind us adults to go to that website to vote when we actually can.

Red Rover sure seems popular. Anything will be better than MSL. Maybe Red Beagle to signify Mars is part of the equation.

Name that Mars rover

Bill Moores, Old Town, ME — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:48:36 GMT

How about...Mr. Peabody ? Or, Robby? Or, maybe, Astro?

Name that Mars rover

John Roades — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:01:19 GMT

Call it Gizmo, a little wild and adventurous, perfect for the martian landscape and the kids can relate.

Name that Mars rover

Elmer, New Hyde Park, NY — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:29:22 GMT

How about "Butch"? Remember the little tough kid in the little Rascals. This scientific marvel is a tough machine and deserves a tough name.

Name that Mars rover

KEN WHITE EDEN NC — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:42:43 GMT

GOTTA NAME IT "WILL ROBINSON" LOST IN SPACE THE GUY FROM THE ROBOT DIED THIS WEEK

Name that Mars rover

Don Grunewald — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:12:16 GMT

Since the mission is to solve the mysteries of Mars it should be named after the greatest sleuth in history. Name the rover Sherlock Holmes.

Name that Mars rover

kevin las vegas — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:13:23 GMT

How about this one. Rascal the Rover.

Name that Mars rover

Ultima — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:50:11 GMT

Boonie for Boondoggle

Name that Mars rover

Jager Ludmilin, White Rock — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:55:56 GMT

We will call him DESTRUCTOCON, and he shall strike fear in the hearts of Martians with his material-analyzing laser beams and deadly pincer arms.

Name that Mars rover

Dana Farokhi, Vernon Hills, Illinois — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:06:36 GMT

Red Rover would be perfect!

Name that Mars rover

Dave Minneapolis MN — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:42:57 GMT

Roomba. Mars looks very dirty...let's get it cleaned up

Name that Mars rover

Pat, Detroit — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:52:15 GMT

Name it Hermes, after the messenger from the Greek Pantheon.

Name that Mars rover

Robin Floyd DeArcos,Bartonvill,illinois,61607 — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:08:17 GMT

mars tracker 1

Name that Mars rover

Bill, Charleston, SC — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:28:09 GMT

It has to be "Ray" as in Ray Bradberry, author of "The Martian Chronicles"!

Name that Mars rover

John Doe,Seattle,Was — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:46:14 GMT

Call it BUSH, because it will can not find somthing that is not there.

Name that Mars rover

Doo Dee, Buffalo, New York — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:46:35 GMT

Name it Agnus

Name that Mars rover

David Contreras lakeside ca, — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:01:27 GMT

HOW ABOUT THIS ONE MAYFLOWER.

Name that Mars rover

Bobby — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:16:41 GMT

personnaly I like " johnny 5" it kinda resmbles the robot from the movie.

Name that Mars rover

scott w, marshfield, wis. — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:43:54 GMT

Lassie. The next one, Rin Tin Tin.

Name that Mars rover

Ken Petersen Damascus MD — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:49:26 GMT

Im surprised no one suggested Marvin the Martian...

Name that Mars rover

Joe, Valley Point, WV — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:55:00 GMT

Hope's Adventure

Name that Mars rover

Alex H., New Castle, PA — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:51:14 GMT

Tiberius. Star Trek should have a hand in this, and James Kirk's middle name sounds noble enough! Yes I am (mostly) kidding. it is a cool name though!

Name that Mars rover

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 02:13:08 GMT

Call it Jesus.

Name that Mars rover

Karl Kolb, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:38:25 GMT

Not Obama or Barrack or any of the Obama family - when the guy is successful lets then talk about naming stuff after him but he is barely on the job with a bunch of ideas we don't know will work.

Name that Mars rover

Tony; Lincoln, Nebraska — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:47:34 GMT

PLUGGER

Name that Mars rover

Matt H., Connecticut — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 05:14:43 GMT

As an appropriately aged young adult, I submitted my idea and supporting essay. Thanks Alan for tipping me off to this. And no, I'm not going to say what I suggested. Just be forewarned that my submission is going to win.

Name that Mars rover

Jorge — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 08:07:13 GMT

Name it Jorge, like me.

Name that Mars rover

Russ Newland,Chalmers,IN — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 08:47:11 GMT

I Think it should be named ( OBAMA1) America on a misson...Russ

Name that Mars rover

Ann Patterson, San Francisco, CA — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:05:54 GMT

I was trying to think of an explorer's basecamp that evokes the spirit of the Mars missions. What I came up with was: Agua Pulgas (Water Flea) becuase its looking for water and for evidence of past microscopic life.

Name that Mars rover

dennis emerine New Riegel ohio — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:43:43 GMT

remote viewer

Name that Mars rover

Jeff Ridley, Kirkland, Washington — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 13:50:45 GMT

Popover One

Name that Mars rover

Jake S. Buffalo, MN — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:51:59 GMT

Let's name it W. after the "great" president we just spent eight years living under. :P

Name that Mars rover

AMBER WARD KING,NC. — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:00:12 GMT

OPOSSUM IS THE NAME.

Name that Mars rover

Bob Hazel, Bethel CT — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:04:19 GMT

Bob H An earthly vehicle roving on martian teritory should be named Marver

Name that Mars rover

ALAN WOMACK — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:48:51 GMT

How about BAROCKMOBILE........ After your first AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT......

Name that Mars rover

dan, olathe ks — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:21:11 GMT

call it "maiden china" because by the time mars will be accessible china will own everything anyway.

Name that Mars rover

john emmerich potosi missourie — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:29:21 GMT

On Mars,the name should be "Marcy" plain, simple and befitting.

Name that Mars rover

Esther Nash — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:59:11 GMT

I'd call it: E T ! Because it looks a bit like the movie character, and also because just these two letters could save some printing ink, on NASA printouts!

Name that Mars rover

Esther Nash, Denvr, CO — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:08:35 GMT

E. T. Because the rover looks somewhat like the film character, anbd also because it would save printer's ink and toner, for NASA, instead of a longer name.

COMMENT 2: W H Y aren't people OVER high-school age allowed to enter????? There are some quite good respnses here, and I'm pretty sure most are from post-high school age people. Science is, after all, always expanding life expentancy. Does graduating high school, or passing high-school graduation age, mean you lose your imagination? I SAY NOT!!!!

Name that Mars rover

peary,blake — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:30:06 GMT

Wall-E

Name that Mars rover

Cindy Lyons, Bedford, TX — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:44:37 GMT

Rod the Rover, namesake for Gene Roddenberry

Name that Mars rover

Eva May, Baltimore, MD. — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:02:22 GMT

You should name it "Harpo Marx" after the greatest comedian of all time. He will make you laugh at all of the weird and crazy martians out there.

Name that Mars rover

Frank Glover, Rochester, NY — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 03:34:43 GMT

"It has to be "Ray" as in Ray Bradberry, author of "The Martian Chronicles"!"

Or as in Ray Walston of 'My Favorite Martian...'

(Okay, I'll shut up)

Name that Mars rover

cheryl g — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:15:12 GMT

Golombek "the dove"
because Matt Golombek helped with rover and also happens to be my sons' name also.

Name that Mars rover

Irish — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:44:41 GMT

Cosmic crabs

Name that Mars rover

Katie H.,Thousand Oaks,CA — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:50:37 GMT

Mars Space Shuttle Rocket

Name that Mars rover

Stephen Waller — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:45:15 GMT

I agree with Amanda Schelly from Dallas.
Wall-E is great. I mean, just LOOK at that rover!

Name that Mars rover

chedde — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 09:49:38 GMT

name it Trishna meaning thirst in sanskrit

Name that Mars rover

Jake, Madison, Wisconsin. — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:44:11 GMT

Columbia to honor those that perished in the tradgey.

Name that Mars rover

Peter P — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:55:04 GMT

R1D1 or C2PO

Name that Mars rover

Wood Hughes, Atlanta, GA — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:27:22 GMT

I vote for "Dejah Thoris", the name of Edgar Rice Burrough's "Princess of Mars". As the princess of the red Martians Helium Kingdom, she was beautiful and fearless.

Name that Mars rover

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:41:35 GMT

Spot should be left to those probes exploring Jupiter. I would suggest Dusty since Mars is; it is also a reference to the G.I.Joe who was trained in desert survival. Mars is very much a desert.

Name that Mars rover

Charlie Amey, Rocky Mount, NC — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:51:57 GMT

Perseverance , following Viking, Pathfinder, Spirit & Opportunity.

Name that Mars rover

Devlin Bell, Edison, New Jersey — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:55:35 GMT

I think it should be named the Link because doesn't it "link" pictures to Nasa.

Name that Mars rover

Rakesh Sharma — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:53:57 GMT

How about we call it "Two years late"...

Name that Mars rover

Heather Forrester,Duckriver,TN — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:39:07 GMT

hi this is Heather Forrester
i think the name of the new Mars rover
should be Mara2youview nother words Mars 2 years
you view

Name that Mars rover

Ross,Singapore,Singapore — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:01:33 GMT

name it opportunity