Spirit

[Dan Dassow]

This is a fitting tribute to the Spirit Mars Rover

http://xkcd.com/695/

[Spoo Junky]

That's really cute! It's great that it lasted so long, although it's probably debatable for some

My name is actually on the Spirit on a CD. JPL had something before it was sent off where you could put in your name and it would be included. I got a certificate for it.

Mars Exploration Rover-2003 Mission
Participation Certificate
Presented to
Bridget xxxxxxx
On November 13, 2002
Thank you for joining us on this mission of exploration and discovery. A compact disc bearing your name will be included in one of the next Mars Exploration Rover-2003 missions that will explore the planet's surface in search of geologic evidence of water in Mars' past.


Together, we will journey into space to discover and understand the many wonders of our universe.



Dr. Edward J. Weiler
Associate Administrator
Office of Space Science

Certificate No. 3177408

[Garibaldi's Hair]

Mars Exploration Rover-2003 Mission
Participation Certificate
Presented to
Bridget xxxxxxx
On November 13, 2002

I have to say that you have the coolest surname I've ever seen. How do you pronounce it exactly?

[Spoo Junky]

You can't, even though it isn't even close to 10,000 letters long! :P

[DGTWoodward]

I think it's pronounced "XXXXXXX"

But I could be wrong.

Is that Polish?

[Dan Dassow]

I think it's pronounced "XXXXXXX"

But I could be wrong.

Is that Polish?

X would probably be pronounced sh in this case, much like a librarian attempting to silence those in a library. Since there are multiple Xs, this would indicate an extended vocalization approximately one second for each X or seven seconds.

Brazilian Portuguese would be more likely than Polish.
For an example see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xuxa

Dan Dassow

[Spoo Junky]

It's the Martian translation of my name, it's pronounced "Incognito". :P

[DGTWoodward]

It's the Martian translation of my name, it's pronounced "Incognito". :P

Oh yes of course, I should have realised, it ends with two groups of two Xs, so...yes it would be pronounced as 'Incognito'

Blimey, I should've known that. I feel really foolish now!

[RedEyeSky]

That's really cute! It's great that it lasted so long, although it's probably debatable for some

My name is actually on the Spirit on a CD. JPL had something before it was sent off where you could put in your name and it would be included. I got a certificate for it.

Weren't you worried that could backfire? Giving any passing little green man/slavering tentacle beast your personal details, I mean?

RedEyeSky

[Spoo Junky]

Weren't you worried that could backfire? Giving any passing little green man/slavering tentacle beast your personal details, I mean?

RedEyeSky

It was definitely a consideration I couldn't resist the coolness factor, though.

We live in an old school house built in 1902; a former owner converted it to a home in the 1980's. We're currently doing renovations of the bathroom and found a penny from 1913. Also, my husband and I recently did some research and found a short written history of the school and a class photo from 1908. I was thrilled to find that, it brought my school house to life I hope that when people finally reach Mars, they get the same sort of thrill by finding our names. History in a textbook can be so dry and impersonal, but having the human factor introduced makes it more meaningful.

For example, an entry in the school history noted the name of a former student who enlisted in the army for WW II and was killed in action in Belgium in 1944. Of those names on the disk on Spirit, how many will go on to have made an impact on history, no matter how big or small.

Even the cartoonist who did the joke that Dan posted has contributed to history and hopefully draws a chuckle from someone in the future.