› added 12 years ago

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TIL that “Curiosity got its name from student Clara Ma, who as a sixth grader, entered an essay contest to name the next Mars rover. Her essay was chosen from 9,000 entries and as part of her winnings, Ma signed her name on the rover before it was packed for its journey to Mars.”

Read more jpl.nasa.gov

via reddit.com

XnwQ TIL drones are banned in Tokyo because some dude landed one with radioactive material on the roof of the prime minister’s office
Zp8MR TIL that during filming of a music video for a Nine Inch Nails song the ropes holding a camera, used to film Trent Reznor's "dead" body, snapped. The balloon carrying the camera brought it 200 miles to a farmer's field in Michigan. A farmer gave it to the FBI who investigated it as a snuff film.
woO7Y TIL that listed among the most secure places in the world, alongside Fort Knox and Area 51, is a parking garage in Derby, England.
BrgPe TIL The CEO of low budget airline Ryan Air wanted to charge passengers £1 to use the onboard toilets. The policy was never implemented because it violated EU regulations.
KOajQ TIL Steven Spielberg created the Medal of Honor video game franchise. The first title was released in 1999, a year after Saving Private Ryan. Most of the games in the franchise were set during WWII.