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“Australia, we’re going to the Moon”: Here’s your chance to name our lunar rover

Image: Trailblazer program (Source: Australian Space Agency - Youtube)

The Australian Space Agency, in partnership with NASA, is working with Australia’s space industry to design and build an Australian-made rover.

This is part of the $150 million Trailblazer program under the Moon to Mars Initiative and Australians now have the chance to be part of history.

In a statement, the agency said:

“Australia, we’re going to the Moon. The Australian Space Agency wants to bring the nation on its boldest adventure yet.” 

The space agency has announced a competition providing people with an opportunity to name Australia’s lunar rover. 

Image: Artist’s impression of an Australian-made rover exploring the lunar surface (Source: Australian Space Agency)

Australians can enter a name that will be in the running to be selected for the rover.

Individuals and schools across Australia can enter a rover name, along with a brief explanation for choosing it. 

“We will select a shortlist of 4 names from your entries and put them to a public vote. We’ll announce the winner in December.”

Drawing on Australia’s world-leading remote operations expertise, the rover will collect lunar soil, known as regolith and NASA will attempt to extract oxygen from the sample.

“This is a key step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. It will also support future missions to Mars.” 

The rover will go to the Moon as part of a future Artemis mission by as early as 2026.

Competition stages

Tuesday 5 September – Friday 20 October 2023

Competition open. Entries close at 11:59pm (ADST) on 20 October.

Monday 23 October – Friday 17 November 2023

Shortlisting process starts. Individuals or schools with shortlisted names notified. 

Monday 20 November – Friday 1 December 2023

Public voting takes place.

Wednesday 6 December 2023

Winning rover name will be announced at the 16th Australian Space Forum in Sydney.

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