Millburn Teen May Get To Name Robot That Will Seek Life On Mars

MILLBURN, NJ — Millburn High School junior Eli Nadell was recently selected a semifinalist for a national Mars 2020 “Name the Rover” contest, the only winner in New Jersey. The NASA "rover" is a robotic scientist that will search for signs of past life on Mars, and is expected to touch down on the Red Planet in February of 2021.

Eli said recently that he saw the chance to name the spacecraft as an "incredible opportunity, not just for me personally, but for my generation to further develop an interest in space."

Eli suggested the name Novus. As he explained in a short essay that he submitted to the organization Future Engineers, "Throughout NASA’s long and decorated history, this quest for new knowledge has brought us off the ground and into the vastness of outer space. 'Novus,' translated from Latin, means something that is new or previously unseen."

The 16-year-old added, "As we embark on a mission to the Red Planet, we begin our search in a new sector, a new frontier. A planet that holds new information that could unlock answers to questions that we cannot answer here on Earth."

According to a press release, the Mars 2020 Rover has entered the final stages of preparation for launch. The robotic scientist weighs more than 2,300 pounds.

It will search for signs of past microbial life, characterize the planet's climate and geology, collect samples for future return to Earth, and pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet. The spacecraft is targeted for a July 2020 launch and is expected to touch down on Mars in February 2021.

Eli said that he found out about the contest from his Millburn High School Space Exploration teacher John Yi, "whose passion and enthusiasm for all-things-space inspired me to enter the challenge," Eli said. "While he is not able to enter the contest himself, I know it would be a true testament to his impact on me as a student for him to see the name 'Novus' on the Mars 2020 Rover."

Eli's parents submitted a statement saying, "We’ve always admired Eli’s intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm for engaging in the world around him, both of which led him to take Mr. Yi’s Space Exploration class. It’s amazing to witness the evolution of space exploration during our lifetimes, from lunar landings to the space shuttle program to the International Space Station and beyond, and we’re delighted that he has taken such an interest in this next frontier."

Eli said he thought the contest was a good idea. "NASA’s ability to engage with the community in a challenge like this really shows how space exploration can be introduced to the public in fresh and exciting ways, something I feel is very important in order for NASA to reach younger age groups," he said.

The contest

Battelle and Future Engineers of California were selected to conduct the Mars 2020 “Name the Rover” contest in partnership with NASA. The student contest is part of NASA’s efforts to engage the public in its missions to the Moon and Mars.

A total of 155 students across the U.S. were chosen as semifinalists in the "Name the Rover" essay contest. Just one will be selected to name the rover and see the spacecraft launch in July 2020 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

There were more than 28,000 essay submissions received from K-12 students. The next phases of judging will reduce the competition to nine finalists, and the public will get to vote for their favorite name online in late January.

The nine finalists will talk with a panel of experts. The grand prize winner will be announced in early March 2020.

For complete contest and prize details, including a full listing of the 155 state/territory semifinalists, visit: https://www.futureengineers.org/nametherover