September 11th Tribute in Space

Two rover cuffs on Mars bear images of the American flag and include materials from the rubble of the World Trade Centre.

The most enduring tribute to the victims of September 11th may also prove to be the most difficult to access. NASA says it has placed rovers on Mars which include cuffs made from Ground Zero's aluminum. The cuffs feature images of the American flag and are designed to protect cables on rovers "Spirit" and "Opportunity." Because of Mars’ dry environment, the tributes may last millions of years, long after climate change, nuclear war, or reality television destroys the planet Earth. Though the rovers landed in 2004 and finished their primary missions, their cable shields are said to have assisted with important research about the red planet’s environmental conditions and the presence of microscopic life.