FOOTPRINT

I believe that the Mars 2020 rover should be named FOOTPRINT. FOOTPRINT is the most appropriate name for the rover because it matches perfectly with the high priority science goals outlined in the rover’s mission. Additional exploration of Mars will help scientists better understand the evolution of the planet and whether it is possible for humans to thrive there in the future. Indelible marks on Mars such as ancient fossilized microbes, much like footprints, will tell a distinct story about the lifeforms that once inhabited the planet and which elements are currently present that could make ongoing existence of more developed lifeforms a reality. A rover used to capture the Mars story can even help scientists learn about how our current human footprint could be expanded to better understand more planets within our solar system. For these reasons, I strongly believe that the 2020 Mars rover should be named FOOTPRINT.