NASA is using the Navajo language to name landmarks on Mars. In doing so, they hope to honor the Navajo people and their language. Naming rocks and other features can help NASA keep track of features on the planet’s surface. Scientists expect to learn much about Mars in the coming years.
NASA has been getting a closer look at the red planet recently. In 2021, the Perseverance rover landed on Mars. The vehicle traveled thousands of miles from Earth. The rover is on a mission to study Mars’ surface. Perseverance takes pictures of Mars that scientists can study. The pictures get sent back to Earth. It also picks up soil samples. In the future, another NASA mission may collect the rover’s soil samples.
The Navajo Nation and NASA are working together. The Navajo Nation gave NASA a list of Navajo words. NASA can use these words to name landmarks on Mars. The rover team named one rock “Máaz.” This is the Navajo word for Mars. The Navajo Nation president has been involved with the project. His name is Jonathan Nez. He hopes that this project will inspire young Navajo people to learn the language.
Aaron Yazzie is a Navajo engineer. He works for NASA. He built drill bits that the rover uses to collect soil. He helped NASA and the Navajo Nation work together. In the past, he also worked on the Curiosity rover. President Nez wants more young Navajo people to pursue jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). He sees Aaron Yazzie as a role model for young people.
There’s no telling how far NASA and the Navajo Nation can go if they work together!
What Do You Think? How are the Navajo Nation and NASA making a difference?
Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
