In an initiative to raise awareness about its 'Going to Mars Campaign', NASA will compile a list of names and personal messages from the public in a DVD and send it to MARS upper atmosphere.
On Wednesday, NASA invited the public to participate in the online campaign by submitting messages, three-line poems or haikus to be carried on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft that will be launched in November.
"The Going to Mars campaign offers people worldwide a way to make a personal connection to space, space exploration, and science in general, and share in our excitement about the MAVEN mission," said Stephanie Renfrow, lead for the MAVEN Education and Public Outreach program.
The online campaign will accept entries from the public till 1 July. From 15 July, an online poll will be conducted to decide the best three messages or poems. The best of the lot will go aboard the MAVEN.
The campaign also allows participants "to print a certificate of appreciation to document their involvement with the MAVEN mission."
MAVEN is the first spacecraft fully dedicated to study Mars' upper atmosphere. Researchers hope the study would reveal details about the once existent quantities of water on its surface.
"I look forward to sharing our science with the worldwide community as MAVEN begins to piece together what happened to the Red Planet's atmosphere," said Bruce Jakosky, MAVEN principal investigator.
"This mission will continue NASA's rich history of inspiring and engaging the public in spaceflight in ongoing Mars exploration," said David Mitchell, MAVEN project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
Those looking to participate in the 'Going to Mars Campaign' can click here: http://lasp.colorado.edu/maven/goingtomars
