Posted on by Nancy Atkinson

ESA Needs a Name for Next ISS Mission

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The European Space Agency needs a bang-up, attention-grabbing moniker for the next long duration European mission to the International Space Station, and they are holding a competition for the public to submit a suitable name. In May 2009, ESA astronaut Frank De Winne, of Belgium will fly to the ISS for a six month mission. ESA is holding a competition to find a name for the mission. Have any great ideas? Here are the parameters for the competition:

The name has to reflect the following aspects:

1. Europe is exploring space, and humans are explorers by nature. Europe has a legacy in exploring Earth and will live up to the expectations in exploring Space.

2. Europe has its own Columbus laboratory permanently in space on the ISS. Europe uses its Columbus laboratory on the ISS for science, technology and education for the benefit of life on Earth.

3. From space our planet looks blue because of the water. Water is the basis of life; Clean water is the basis for healthy life of all humans on Earth.

Wow, that’s a tough set of parameters. Now, here’s a few rules: (for the full rules see HERE)

1. The competition is open to all citizens of the ESA Member States (sorry US and Canada folks, you’re out of luck on this one.)

2. The proposals have to arrive in the [email protected] mailbox the latest by 18:00 CEST, 15 October 2008.

3. The proposal should be maximum of one page, with 12 pt single spacing

4. The name should be a word (or a short combination of words), not a personal name (unless it is a mythological name which has a commonly known symbolic meaning).

Again, here’s the full rules. Have fun and go for it!

Source: ESA

10 Replies to “ESA Needs a Name for Next ISS Mission”

  1. hello Dork Leader, LOL

    here comes another suggestion:

    after big loses of heroes in WW II the Germans send the undercover agent von Braun to America to continue the German space program by utilizing the former enemy. Firstly, he experimented with the apes Sam, Ham and Enos and later he decided that it was useful to also use local gum chewers. Now that his efforts are crowned by moderate success, Germany sends human material from its satellite states.

    Therefore, we will name the mission “Alien – Ressurection”.

  3. Sorry, but Canada is not on the list of countries that can participate: Residents of the following states are allowed to participate in the competition: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

    Nancy

  5. canada is not a member of the ESA they simply work very closely with them. I think im going to send them one as im from ireland. but first i have to think of one.

  6. Its really strange the ESA guys – need to learn a lot from NASA while reaching out to public.

    i have seen umpteen number of times that many of their outreach programmes are limited to members of esa etc…

    I ask only one question arent there any americans, indians etc… working in various projects of ESA. If yes

    ESA or any nation should make efforts or reach out to inspire the future astronauts or scientists of the world, who can come from any country on the planets.

    I also like them to understand that solutions for many of problems on earth can be found provided all minds on earth are ignited – particularly the young one – through such projects.

    Hope ESA “Europe” only banner soon.

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