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 mission.name@esa.int 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