NASA wants to put your name on a spacecraft headed to an asteroid

[Buster's Uncle]

NASA wants to put your name on a spacecraft headed to an asteroid
BY Jon Fingas   January 15th, 2014 at 4:59PM ET



NASA OSIRIS-REx visits a computer-generated asteroid


Forget those dime-a-dozen "name a star" gifts -- wouldn't you rather put your name on a spacecraft that advances human understanding? NASA certainly thinks you do. It's teaming up with the Planetary Society to etch your name on chips inside its OSIRIS-REx probe, which will head toward the asteroid Bennu in 2016. While it's doubtful that any aliens will read your microscopic claim to fame, it'll certainly get the grand tour. The spacecraft will spend 500 days around the asteroid before heading back, and both the decommissioned vehicle as well as the returning sample capsule will have your ID. You can register your name today for free; just be prepared to wait years for the payoff.


http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/15/nasa-puts-your-name-on-spacecraft/?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000589