The Briefing Room

General Category => Science, Technology and Knowledge => Space => Topic started by: Gefn on November 28, 2023, 09:56:45 pm

Title: I'm sending my name to Jupiter's moon Europa on a NASA spacecraft — and here's why you should, too
Post by: Gefn on November 28, 2023, 09:56:45 pm: n 2024, if all goes to plan, a spacecraft named the Europa Clipper will embark on a journey to an icy, gray moon of Jupiter covered in rust-colored gashes. It will swim along the Jovian satellite's gravitational tides, half facing the orb from orbit, half exposed to the airless ocean of space. And alongside its high-tech spectrometer, radar system, optical imager and other instruments built to search for proof of alien habitats, the Europa Clipper will be bringing my name. It can bring yours, too.

You just have to sign up for NASA's free "Message in a Bottle program" here. The campaign closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 31 (0459 GMT on Jan. 1); at the time I'm writing this, almost 900,000 names have been entered.

If you're unsure why this matters, however, you're not alone. Right after signing my name, and honestly before I even knew what that would entail, I thought pretty deeply about why I want this to happen. After all, the spacecraft won't be landing anywhere. There's no one on Europa to receive our message. Each name is one among hundreds of thousands of others. Even our names are simply intangible concepts created to denote our existence, an idea that linguists and philosophers have plunged into for years. Without us, what are our names? Without anyone to read them, where have they truly gone?

https://www.space.com/nasa-clipper-moon-jupiter-europa-human-names-microchip
Title: Re: I'm sending my name to Jupiter's moon Europa on a NASA spacecraft — and here's why you should, t
Post by: Gefn on November 28, 2023, 09:57:27 pm: Here is the direct website.

https://europa.nasa.gov/message-in-a-bottle/participation-map/
Title: Re: I'm sending my name to Jupiter's moon Europa on a NASA spacecraft — and here's why you should, t
Post by: catfish1957 on November 28, 2023, 10:44:49 pm: I am game as long as it doesn't end up with any more additional Medicare Robocalls.
Title: Re: I'm sending my name to Jupiter's moon Europa on a NASA spacecraft — and here's why you should, t
Post by: GtHawk on November 29, 2023, 01:36:18 am: Quote from: catfish1957 on November 28, 2023, 10:44:49 pm
I am game as long as it doesn't end up with any more additional Medicare Robocalls.
I'm more concerned with some Jovian knocking on my door looking for a place to stay on their vacation :whistle:

Could be worse, could be Martians or Venutians :silly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msKubf4fE8E
Title: Re: I'm sending my name to Jupiter's moon Europa on a NASA spacecraft — and here's why you should, t
Post by: Smokin Joe on November 29, 2023, 02:56:01 am: Quote from: catfish1957 on November 28, 2023, 10:44:49 pm
I am game as long as it doesn't end up with any more additional Medicare Robocalls.
"Your satellite warranty is about to expire..."
Title: Re: I'm sending my name to Jupiter's moon Europa on a NASA spacecraft — and here's why you should, t
Post by: DefiantMassRINO on November 29, 2023, 04:09:47 am: Are you sure it's not a scam to sell NASA timeshares on Mars?
Title: Re: I'm sending my name to Jupiter's moon Europa on a NASA spacecraft — and here's why you should, t
Post by: Texas Yellow Rose on November 29, 2023, 05:17:18 am: Quote from: DefiantMassRINO on November 29, 2023, 04:09:47 am
Are you sure it's not a scam to sell NASA timeshares on Mars?

Right!! Why else would they need your email address!! :shrug: :shrug:
Title: Re: I'm sending my name to Jupiter's moon Europa on a NASA spacecraft — and here's why you should, t
Post by: Gefn on November 29, 2023, 06:17:10 pm: Quote from: catfish1957 on November 28, 2023, 10:44:49 pm
I am game as long as it doesn't end up with any more additional Medicare Robocalls.

ALL THESE WORLDS ARE YOURS – EXCEPT EUROPA. ATTEMPT NO LANDING THERE.