How to rescue the Mars rover by Julian, age 7

#1 – 12:49 PM May 28, 2009

The comments further down about tracking down the kid:

"That shouldn't be hard, Julian's dad works for NASA...it must be something in the genes... "

I wonder if that's true. If so, did he get the idea from his dad? Or did he just get the idea because he's a huge nerd (because of his dad)?

It's still cool.

O_M

#2 – 3:31 PM May 28, 2009

...Two points:

1) Julian's idea has been proposed previously for other stuck wheel issues. NASA engineers either claimed the arm wasn't strong enough to do the job, or ignored the suggestions outright. If it works, tho, Julian deserves a really *big* reward.

2) Sadly, tho, "out of the mouths of babes" doesn't always work. Once again, we have another probe given a really LAME name thanks to the lack of imagination of a 6th grader. "Curiosity" from *stupidity*, the same sort of mentality that kept Spirit and Opportunity from using their original names, Daffy and Marvin.

dculberson

#3 – 8:40 PM May 28, 2009

Curiosity, Spirit, and Opportunity are great names.

So are Daffy and Marvin, but still.. I take exception to you labeling the others as stupid.

Though perhaps "explormeister rex" would be even better.

spacebuff

#4 – 10:25 AM May 29, 2009

Mars Rover engineers say they can't implement Julian's suggestion, for several technical reasons.
But they were really impressed by Julian because he showed he cares about the rovers and he applied imagination in finding a solution to a
hard problem.

Way to go Julian!

Anonymous Anonymous

#5 – 10:48 AM May 29, 2009

Never really liked the name Spirit.
They should have been named Motive and Opportunity.

cinemajay

#6 – 12:26 PM May 29, 2009

Agreed. Curiosity is a great name, and apropos to boot!

O_M

#7 – 12:29 PM May 29, 2009

...Take exception all you want, but when "Spirit" and "Opportunity" were named, a large majority of NASA observers - both pro-NASA like me, and anti-NASA trolls like Keith Cowing - agreed that the names simply didn't *inspire*. They should have either been left as "Marvin" and "Daffy", or given names that were far more inspiring. NASA may want to inspire the kids to grow up and be astronauts and engineers, but those kids aren't paying the taxes that fund the rovers - something NASA tends to conveniently forget when they name probes these days.

mdh

#8 – 1:04 AM June 1, 2009

but those kids aren't paying the taxes that fund the rovers

Ummmm.... when's the last time the US Gov't ran a surplus?

I think the kids should get to name more than spacecraft for the price they're paying.

Global War on Doodyheads has a nice ring to it.

Benjamin Brown

#9 – 5:57 AM June 2, 2009

O_M

#7 – 12:29 PM May 29, 2009

...Take exception all you want, but when "Spirit" and "Opportunity" were named, a large majority of NASA observers - both pro-NASA like me, and anti-NASA trolls like Keith Cowing - agreed that the names simply didn't *inspire*. They should have either been left as "Marvin" and "Daffy", or given names that were far more inspiring. NASA may want to inspire the kids to grow up and be astronauts and engineers, but those kids aren't paying the taxes that fund the rovers - something NASA tends to conveniently forget when they name probes these days.

Daffy and Marvin inspire? Does a name really matter that much? I would of thought the science that actually gets done mattered more. Spirit and Opportunity are NASA's most beloved rovers its fair to say, and they didn't get that way because of their respective names. Its because they've been doing science, and trucking along despite whatever is thrown at them. Besides, NASA has a policy of picking a name that best meets with their mission statement.

You don't like Spirit, you don't like Opportunity, and you don't even like Curiosity but they are names that fall well within their mission statement. As for kids not paying taxes, so what? Again the point is get to kids interested in science and engineering, which can only be done if you give them a chance to be apart of it. IE naming rovers, etc.

Of course, the problem is, even with all the kickass science being done. The younger generation is self absorbed as the last, if not more. Caring more about American Idol then moon shots. While the older generation is bitter, and angry that the future didn't turn out the way they thought it would. Then again, that's because they were once as self absorbed as the younger generation, wanting their jetpacks/flying cars etc. Even though both technologies while possible, are not very feasible for use in the real world. Wishing doesn't make anything so, but so many people wish for the future to be as they imagine rather then what is possible.

Nannes2

#10 – 10:34 PM August 24, 2009

Its because they've been doing science, and trucking along despite whatever is thrown at them. Besides, NASA has a policy of picking a name that best meets with their mission statement.
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Nannes2

#11 – 10:35 PM August 24, 2009

NASA may want to inspire the kids to grow up and be astronauts and engineers, but those kids aren't paying the taxes that fund the rovers - something NASA tends to conveniently forget when they name probes these days.
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Nannes2

#12 – 10:36 PM August 24, 2009

Turns out that's a pretty good idea and one that JPL folks are already considering.
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varashel

#13 – 2:04 AM September 16, 2009

I would also thought of science. Its because they've been doing science, and trucking along despite whatever is thrown at them. Besides, NASA has a policy of picking a name that best meets with their mission statement. Ride on Mower
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gadgetheaven

#14 – 11:19 PM September 17, 2009

I think he probably did get the idea from his Father, but that is not to be dismissed. We all learn from those around us. Hopefully, if he is listening to this extent at this age, he will go on to do great things. Heaven knows, I wish my Son would listen to me!
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kiddzy

#15 – 5:07 PM September 23, 2009

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kiddzy

#16 – 4:26 AM September 29, 2009

I think he probably did get the idea from his Father, but that is not to be dismissed. We all learn from those around us. Hopefully, if he is listening to this extent at this age, he will go on to do great things.
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#17 – 5:27 AM October 2, 2009

Out of the mouths of babes. . . aren't kids great? They offer the simplest of solutions to what can seem like impossibly difficult situations. We should listen to our kids more often. Well done Julian.
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gadgetheaven

#18 – 12:12 PM October 2, 2009

I've been telling my work colleagues about this little chap, simply brilliant.
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kiddzy

#19 – 4:09 AM October 3, 2009

I think he probably did get the idea from his Father, but that is not to be dismissed. We all learn from those around us. Hopefully, if he is listening to this extent at this age, he will go on to do great things.

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#20 – 6:20 AM October 9, 2009

I am very impressed by this seven year old.
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kiddzy

#21 – 8:10 AM October 16, 2009

I think he probably did get the idea from his Father, but that is not to be dismissed. We all learn from those around us. Hopefully, if he is listening to this extent at this age, he will go on to do great things.

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kiddzy

#22 – 8:12 AM October 16, 2009

I think he probably did get the idea from his Father, but that is not to be dismissed. We all learn from those around us. Hopefully, if he is listening to this extent at this age, he will go on to do great things.

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#23 – 2:12 PM October 23, 2009

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#24 – 1:02 AM October 27, 2009

Curiousity is the best asset for a child. It what makes life fun for them. ebay coupons

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#25 – 8:32 AM October 30, 2009

great kid,
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#26 – 8:33 AM October 30, 2009