NASA is looking for a name for the next Mars rover, officially called the Mars Science Laboratory. They’ve decided to have a contest, and it’s open to school children up to 18 years of age.
The rovers so far (Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity) have all had serious names, so I doubt they’ll go for Marvin, which would really just be perfect. How about Wells? I suppose John Carter is out. Ray Walston?
Of course, given how over-budget MSL is, and how it’s threatened other missions, they might want to name it Gilligan. Somehow, I doubt they’d go for that, either!
Anyway, if you’re a teacher or a school kid, check that site out and give it some thought. Your idea may wind up traveling millions of kilometers to another planet, and that’s pretty cool.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Fido
November 20th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Zondal after the Ice Warrior.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
And the ship that would get it there would be the S.S Minnow.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I’d be afraid of naming a rover “Marvin”. If it took after Marvin the Martian, sure, it’d merely be affably evil in an adorably disturbing way. However, if it took after Marvin the Paranoid Android, it might talk Spirit and Opportunity into a suicidally depressed funk, or cause all future probes to give Mars a miss entirely and plunge into the Sun while listening to songs by Disaster Area.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Serious suggestion: Burroughs
Not-so-serious suggestion: Flugelbinder
Ludicrous suggestion: Mysteron
November 20th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I’m thinking “Bradbury”. Obviously.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I like Fido.
But maybe with a little more pizzaz: PHYDOUGH
November 20th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Canis Minor.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I second Bradbury!
November 20th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Read the rules, folks. The rover cannot be named after someone who is still living.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
How about … Mr. Splashy Pants ?
November 20th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
how about Asimov or Verne.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I’d like Calvin. If it’s a two-part vehicle: Calvin and Hobbes. Remember the series where they flew to Mars? I miss the spirit of childhood exploration in that strip.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
What about Frodo?
So when it loses contact, someone can yell “Frodo Lives!” when they hook up again.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Okay, here’s your Classic Science Fiction Trivia test:
Tweel.
J/P=?
November 20th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I think we all know what it should be.
The Phil Plait.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
That would be a good choice too.
(click my name too find out. Me likey google.)
November 20th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Dejah, after Dejah Thoris of course. Or simply Princess.
(The Fido was good, though.)
November 20th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Someone not living?
Hmm, well how about we call one Bert. Then if someone in government threatens to shut down the program, NASA can say, “What? And leave Ernie here on earth all alone?”
May I seriously recommend: Einstein?
November 20th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Sagan.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Orson.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Or Welles (Orson) or Wells (HG).
November 20th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
@ john paradox:
Mr. Weinbaum would be honored. And no, I didn’t have to look it up!
November 20th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
The Hot Needle of Inquisition.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
“If your idea is chosen you can win Wall-E prizes and a trip to California to visit NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to sign your name on the real rover going to Mars!”
I wanna to be a schoolkid again!!!!
Seriously, though, I will definitely pass this info on to my 7-year-old son.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Damn, I had a feeling I left that womb too early!
My suggestion is “Teh Awesome Machine”.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
It’s unfortunate-and a mistake-that NASA always restricts these contests to kids under 18. What? They don’t think any voting-age, tax-paying adults would care to get in on this?
November 20th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I disagree. It *must* be Marvin. And one of the instruments must be called the Illudium Pu-36 Space Modulator.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
I agree with bill ringo. I like Fido
November 20th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Woola.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
I third, or fourth if I missed a primary third, Ray Bradbury.
In full disclosure, I freely admit that he did frame some of my early (and some lasting) opinions. But I’m not opinionated. No.
Unless I meet a large mantis at night. Then I’ll know exactly what to do.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Garry. It has a nice ring to it.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
“Marvin” is the no-brainer.
Walkabout would be my backup.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
How about Candy Bar? That way it would be THE Mars Candy Bar!
November 20th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
How about Quatermass?
November 20th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
For the children.
New Horizon(s).
Journeyer.
Charger.
Clarke Explorer (A.C.).
November 20th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
K9
They’d send it a command, and it would reply, “Af-fir-ma-tive mas-ter.”
November 20th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
This is an easy one,
Rover
I’ll get my coat.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Susan
November 20th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Name it the Medusa. Because all it sees is rock. *swish*
November 21st, 2008 at 12:22 am
WALL-E
November 21st, 2008 at 1:51 am
How about ‘Marshal’? (Mars + H.A.L.)
And, as an aside, the competition is only open to US citizens – booooo!
November 21st, 2008 at 2:57 am
It has to be something cute to get more public interest and support for more non-manned missions into Space.
They should put a cute face on it too.
November 21st, 2008 at 4:02 am
Being Serious for a sec :
Why not open it up to everyone – why limit the suggestions to just US schoolchildren under 18?
My dozen odd suggestions some more odder and sillier and other seriouser than the aforementioned are :
1. Wells Revenge
) 
2. Sagan’s Spirit
3. Lowell’s Car (Percival Lowell was the ancient American astronomer who claimed he saw canals on Mars and spent ages up at the “Mars hill” Observatory trying to map them, he also played a key role in the discovery of planet X or Pluto too!)
4. Wanderer
5. Trailblazer (slight ref /sim. idea to ‘Pathfinder’ mission)
6. Barsoom (Carter -Edgar Rice Burrough’s name for it)
7. Malacandra (CS Lewis fans may know why – ref to his ‘Dr Ransom’ series.)
8. Rocky
9. Pluto-Really-Is-A-Proper-Planet (Yeah, kinda long I know but I’d just like to force the Pluto-bashing mob & IAU to have to use it!
10. Fido
11. The Rover With No Name / Nameless Rover / The Dark Rover / The Unknown Rover
12. Obscure symbol formerly known as Mars Science Laboratory!
13. Red-Rover-All-Over
14. Mr Anonymous the Mars Rover
@ Hoonser : GROAN.
@ LZ : HAL is that really such a good namesake? After all HAL’s story didn’t end up so well did it? We don’t suddenly want our rovers telling ground control “Sorry Dave I can’t do that” & going homicidal on us do we?
Hmm.. How would a homiciidal mars rovers attack I wonder?
Being Serious for a sec :
Why not open it up to everyone – why limit the suggestions to just US schoolchildren under 18?
My dozen odd suggestions some more odder and sillier and other seriouser than the aforementioned are :
1. Wells Revenge
) 
2. Sagan’s Spirit
3. Lowell’s Car (Percival Lowell was the ancient American astronomer who claimed he saw canals on Mars and spent ages up at the “Mars hill” Observatory trying to map them, he also played a key role in the discovery of planet X or Pluto too!)
4. Wanderer
5. Trailblazer (slight ref /sim. idea to ‘Pathfinder’ mission)
6. Barsoom (Carter -Edgar Rice Burrough’s name for it)
7. Malacandra (CS Lewis fans may know why – ref to his ‘Dr Ransom’ series.)
8. Rocky
9. Pluto-Really-Is-A-Proper-Planet (Yeah, kinda long I know but I’d just like to force the Pluto-bashing mob & IAU to have to use it!
10. Fido
11. The Rover With No Name / Nameless Rover / The Dark Rover / The Unknown Rover
12. Obscure symbol formerly known as Mars Science Laboratory!
13. Red-Rover-All-Over
14. Mr Anonymous the Mars Rover
@ Hoonser : GROAN.
@ LZ : HAL is that really such a good namesake? After all HAL’s story didn’t end up so well did it? We don’t suddenly want our rovers telling ground control “Sorry Dave I can’t do that” & going homicidal on us do we?
Hmm.. How would a homiciidal mars rovers attack I wonder?
November 21st, 2008 at 4:12 am
Huh? Why the frak ain’t this posting? I’ve clicked sub,it comment severaltoimes & my post hasn’t come through, nomoderators awit oranything, itjustisn’tr bleedi’ working! What the frak’s going on here? Wretched diabolical bloody computers!!!
November 21st, 2008 at 4:31 am
Why not open it up to everyone – why limit the suggestions to just US schoolchildren under 18?
My suggestions some more odd and sillier and other seriouser than the aforementioned are :
1. Wells Revenge
) 
2. Sagan’s Spirit
3. Lowell’s Car (Percival Lowell was the ancient American astronomer who claimed he saw canals on Mars and spent ages up at the “Mars hill” Observatory trying to map them, he also played a key role in the discovery of planet X or Pluto too!)
4. Wanderer
5. Trailblazer (slight ref /sim. idea to ‘Pathfinder’ mission)
6. Barsoom (Carter -Edgar Rice Burrough’s name for it)
7. Malacandra (CS Lewis fans may know why – ref to his ‘Dr Ransom’ series.)
8. Rocky
9. Pluto-Really-Is-A-Proper-Planet (Yeah, kinda long I know but I’d just like to force the Pluto-bashing mob & IAU to have to use it!
10. Fido
11. The Rover With No Name / Nameless Rover / The Dark Rover / The Unknown Rover
12. Obscure symbol formerly known as Mars Science Laboratory!
13. Red-Rover-All-Over
14. Mr Anonymous the Mars Rover
@ Hoonser : GROAN.
@ LZ : HAL is that really such a good namesake? After all HAL’s story didn’t end up so well did it? We don’t suddenly want our rovers telling ground control “Sorry Dave I can’t do that” & going homicidal on us do we?
Hmm.. How would a homicidal Mars rover attack I wonder?
—–
Just tried posting this & it didn’t appear -trying again .. Sorry if it ends up as a duplicate post
November 21st, 2008 at 5:04 am
“Hmm.. How would a homicidal Mars rover attack I wonder?”
It could run someone over. Of course, it would depend if someone’s reflex’s are good enough to evade a object moving at speeds of three! MPH or KPH, take your pick.
Darn, I’m a decade too old to submit names!
How about the Grand Martian?
I wouldn’t mind seeing named the Clarke rover.
November 21st, 2008 at 5:15 am
I think it should be Wells.
Or Schiaparelli.
http://www.nineplanets.org/help.html#Schiaparelli
November 21st, 2008 at 5:36 am
If we call it WELLS and it has FAR to GO, we could call it… naaa, too commercial.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:30 am
Since they chose “Spirit” and “Opportunity” over my suggestion of “Romulus” and “Remus,” they’re on their own this time.
(I’m too old anyway.)
November 21st, 2008 at 6:59 am
My 10 year old’s class has already chosen Sagan. I sure am glad we took a day trip to the VLA last week. He was very vocal in his class about that choice.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:06 am
I’d love to see them name it Kkkahjjjerrr, just so we could see all the people on TV try to pronounce it. That name, of course, is from Heinlein’s “Double Star”.
Barring that, it really should be named either for Sagan or for some science fiction author. Space exploration owes so much to those guys.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:34 am
Gort.
Stamp “Klaatu berada nicto” on it.
And put frickin’ lasers on its head. Just in case.
/just saw the new The Day the Earth Stood Still trailer.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:12 am
The Widowmaker, but only if you mount machine guns on the front.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:13 am
And the machine guns can be slaved to the main gun turret.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:13 am
All targeted by the particle beam, which can scan or be used as a weapon itself.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:24 am
How about “another vehicle that NASA underestimates the lifespan of; so that when it far exceeds in designed mission life everyone will look like heroes”. They kinda have a reverse scotty estimates for everything. That being said I love these missions and all they have been able to accomplish and teach us. Hope to see many more in the future.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:51 am
^ Not bad for a group that’s derided for its incompetence, I’d say.
November 21st, 2008 at 9:07 am
I would suggest Snoopy, but then, I AM a child of the ’50s/’60s,,,
Carey: MAybe we could get them to PAY to have their name on the rover. Advertising,,, one more way space exploration could provide a return on investment,,,
GAry 7
November 21st, 2008 at 9:08 am
KHHAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!
November 21st, 2008 at 9:18 am
I would suggest Snoopy, but then, I AM a child of the ’50s/’60s,,
I live it, save for two caveats:
* Apollo 10’s Lunar Module was named “Snoopy”
* And it might be a bad omen considering the ill-fated Beagle 2 lander which was a part of ESA’s Mars Express. On the other hand, since Beagle 3 was cancelled, it would be a kind nod to our European friends.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:12 am
Greengrocer
greengolet
Gryphon
Chauncer
Dancer
Prancer
Turquoise
Nom
Royale de Cuz
November 21st, 2008 at 10:31 am
PERCIVAL
SAND-E (Semi-Autonomous New Digger – Explorer)
BAHRAM (Persian name for Mars)
November 21st, 2008 at 10:40 am
Spot.
November 21st, 2008 at 10:42 am
EDGAR (Rice Burroughs)
ISAAC (Asimov)
ARTHUR (Clarke)
November 21st, 2008 at 10:45 am
@ Gary. I’ve long supported the idea that NASA get sponsorships like NASCAR teams do. Just imagine how many decals and sponsorships you could fit on a rocket! Or on a spaceprobe! They could raise billions! Sure the astronauts would have to be trained to mention their sponsors names everytime they spoke (and wear them on their spacesuits), but it could be done.
Just think how much Energizer (or Duracell) might have paid to put their name on Spirit and/or Opportunity!
November 21st, 2008 at 10:47 am
@ RL:
I would add Pfizer as a potential sponsor. Imagine the new Ares rocket emblazoned with Viagra logos. “We have lift-off,” indeed.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:10 am
U.S.S. Richard Nixon.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:20 am
Sure the astronauts would have to be trained to mention their sponsors names everytime they spoke (and wear them on their spacesuits), but it could be done.
It would be really hard to change hats every 45 seconds in space.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:34 am
Alright
1. SPLAT. You know, just in case it crashes.
2. Pluto: Goes with the dog name trend I see here and well you know, its radioisotope for its Radioisotope thermoelectric generator is probably Plutonium.
3. Thermostellar Bomb #21: Well, maybe not, it might become self-aware and you may have heard what happened with Bomb #20.
4. Nova: In case it lands safetly but all the drive motors fail.
5. Pipboy: I’m a fan of the computer game series Fallout.
6. Plait: You know, just to see if Phil has read any of this sillyness.
November 21st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Maybe Goddard?
November 21st, 2008 at 12:52 pm
JoeSmithCA Says:
Alright
3. Thermostellar Bomb #21: Well, maybe not, it might become self-aware and you may have heard what happened with Bomb #20.
Hmmm.. is there going to be a ‘reference-off’ here?
Oh,
# kuhnigget Says:
@ john paradox:
Mr. Weinbaum would be honored. And no, I didn’t have to look it up!
I recently read it on my Palm… downloadable and great for re-reading.
J/P=?
November 21st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
@John Paradox
I was looking to see if anyone would catch the reference to the movie Dark Star.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:10 pm
My bad. While I read the rules, I did not realize The Great One was still alive.
November 21st, 2008 at 7:11 pm
“Goddard”? Jimmy Neutron’s dog?
November 21st, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Hmm. “Spirit”, “Opportunity”… and now, to link to our current situation,
“Hope”, “Change”, or “Welfare”.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:39 pm
D’oh!
Hey yeah the new Mars rover Doh hads landed!
November 21st, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Now I’m awaitingmoderation … Argh. I hate computers.
Course alltheyreallyneed is a “JUST !@#$@!#@!! WORK ‘button.
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
The rovers so far (Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity) have all had serious names…
Given those themes, why not name one Destiny or Harbinger – you know something even more forward-looking. (archaic: harbinger: one who pioneers in or initiates a major change (as in art, science, or doctrine)
Or let’s be frank and call it Invader, as in Invaders From Earth! (as opposed to Invaders From Mars!. ) After all, from a Martian perspective, what else would you think of the rovers coming there and messing up the dirt?
Sigh. My niece will never make it to JPL with this aunt helping her.
November 24th, 2008 at 12:47 am
The BA wrote :
“Of course, given how over-budget MSL is, and how it’s threatened other missions, they might want to name it Gilligan. Somehow, I doubt they’d go for that, either!”
Hmm.. If we want to be mean we could try calling it ‘Horton’ after the white elephant who spots a who – that’d be a good choice if they ever want to properly name the ISS too!
December 17th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
I think i’ll name the rover “Split” because what the rover does is that the rover has a lazer to shot the rocks for it can “Split” In half so they discover what is inside.
January 3rd, 2009 at 6:32 pm
hb the scientific rainbow? or hope, destiny, the titan, hercules, artemis, hermes, the olympian, heista, helena, orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ummmm other greek names. “Hope” in greek-idk. I turned 19 a couple months ago and i really wanted to do it! (haha) But now im soooooo sad
<3
January 9th, 2009 at 7:51 am
i want for the next mars rover to be called WALL-E first of all it was a movie and its a very good name and if its posibe you people can make it like the robot WALL-E.
so please name it WALL-E so i can live with it and i will thank u please
PS. tell NASA to use more technological technology.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
slartibartfast
March 21st, 2009 at 5:02 am
I don’t think it can last too much longer than its planned life, since its reactor fuel won’t last indefinitely.
My name choice would be Podkayne.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Someone asked me why women don’t gamble as much as men do, and I gave the commonsensical reply that we don’t have as much money. That was a true and incomplete answer. In fact, women’s total instinct for gambling is satisfied by marriage.