We are the creators of several archives of names stored on several NASA missions. Thanks to the work of NASA and The Planetary Society, the Robinson Family has had the opportunity to create digital archives stored on missions that commemorate the achievement and accomplishments of prominent Black and African Americans, our community members, leaders, friends and family.
WORLD’S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN ARCHIVE ON MARS
In February of 2007, the Robinson Family began submitting the names of writers, musicians, activists, aviators, and more aboard NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander. In honor of Black History Month, the Robinson Family decided to pay tribute to Black American pioneers, heroes, trailblazers, innovators, and leaders by sending their names to be a part of this first ever digital library on Mars.
Since the launch of the Phoenix Mars Lander, and the creation of the world’s first African American archive of names on Mars, the Robinson Family has continued its mission in recognizing and preserving the historical contributions of Black Americans by participating in several NASA exploratory missions.
Below we have listed a few missions that contain such archives.
Featured Missions
MARS 2020 PERSEVERANCE ROVER
Perseverance
Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover is NASA’s latest Mars exploratory mission. According to NASA, “The Perseverance rover will seek signs of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples for possible return to Earth.” Perseverance’s launch window opens on July 30, 2020. This Martian misison will be carrying 10.9 million names to the surface of Mars. As NASA has continued to launch exploratory missions to Mars and elsewhere in our solar system, they have gained more public support and participation over the years.
Among the names aboard Perseverance, we have submitted approximately 600 names of those who we believe are trailblazers, world-changers, history-makers, prodigies and more. As the launch date comes closer and closer, we have been reaching out to those whose names are part of this exciting endeavor. To find out if we submitted your name aboard this mission, you can inquire us by sending your first and last name, and email.
INSIGHT MARS LANDER
InSight
InSight Mars Lander is a NASA mission “designed to give the Red Planet its first thorough checkup since it formed 4.5 billion years ago. It is the first outer space robotic explorer to study in-depth the “inner space” of Mars: its crust, mantle, and core.” InSight landed on the surface of Mars on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, carrying 2.5 million names.
In 2015, NASA provided the public with the opportunity to send names aboard a silica microchip attached to the mission. The Robinson Family took this opportunity to submit and honor those who we consider to be pioneers – past and present. Among the names we submitted aboard InSight include, Aretha Franklin, Willa Beatrice Brown, and more.
PHOENIX MARS LANDER
Phoenix
Phoenix Mars Lander was a NASA mission designed “to uncover clues to the geologic history and biological potential of the Martian arctic.” Phoenix landed on Mars on May 25, 2008, carrying more than 250,000 names to Mars.
In 2006, The Planetary Society unveiled the Visions of Mars DVD, a silica-glass disk containing the first digital library on Mars. Included in this digital library is a compendium of Mars related books, stories, essays, and art as well as an archive of names. NASA and The Planetary Society provided the public with the opportunity to send names aboard the Visions of Mars DVD. Having this opportunity, we chose to recognize those who we considered to be pioneers of our time.
Throughout the years, we have presented several pioneers whose names are featured on the Visions of Mars DVD with their Phoenix Mars Lander certificates.
Contact us here to learn more about our archives project.
Robinson Family Aerospace Mission 