Phoenix Mars Lander--A. C. Gilbert

Quite a successful landing for NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander--an in situ soil laboratory. Maybe it would have been cool to name this Martian probe the "A. C. Gilbert" Mars Lander for this is basically a sophisticated chemistry set in action. These ventures are far better, safer, and cheaper than sending man to Mars at this time.

And that reminds me...who names these flights, projects, probes, orbiters, etc? Wouldn't it be of value to have the public involved with some inexpensive prize--like a moon rock fragment, space flight memorabilia, autographs, books?

Narcissistic Phoenix

NASA