Even though LEGO’s design proposal for the Mars Rover was rejected by NASA, the company is taking it in stride and co-sponsoring a contest to name the twin rovers that will be taking the big ride next summer.

While the rocket scientists at NASA may have legitimate concerns about the spaceworthiness of LEGO’s design philosophy, the name of LEGO’s toy rover control software, “Red Rover,” is a gem. It is in fact the perfect name for the Mars mission’s SUV.

Unfortunately, NASA is under the impression that “Red Rover” just doesn’t have the gravitas necessary to keep space travel fun, exciting, and inspiring, the way names culled from musty old encyclopedias do.

In search of a weightier name, and to siphon some of the magic and delight of youth, the contest is open only to children, grades K-12. But in case any youngsters out there are considering naming the twins something like Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Beavis and Butt-head, Wallace and Gromit, Ren and Stimpy, Ben and Jerry, Wayne and Garth, Bill and Monica, Sid and Nancy, or Bartles and Jaymes, think again. From the entry form:

When doing research for suggested rover names, please keep in mind that space objects, missions, and spacecraft have traditionally been named after people or places from history, mythology, or fiction, or with words that convey a spirit of exploration or enterprise.

The Planetary Society, LEGO’s contest co-sponsor, elaborates:

In the past, The Planetary Society has sponsored or co-sponsored six naming contests: three spacecraft, Magellan, Beagle, and Sojourner, and three asteroids, Bonestell, Nereus, and Braille.

So kids, tap into that part of the old bean where names and ideas like “Nereus” and “Bonestell” live and have at it. But above all, have fun.