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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “NASA Mohawk Guy” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71, number 21144 of the collection, and the 125th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “NASA Mohawk Guy” meme mean?
This meme expresses amused surprise at an unexpected detail that distracts from a major event. It highlights how personal aesthetics can sometimes overshadow technical or scientific gravity in the collective imagination. The dominant emotion is euphoria and admiration for this moment of human lightness within a rigorous space mission.
Where does the “NASA Mohawk Guy” meme come from?
The origin dates back to August 5, 2012 (Pacific Time), during the live broadcast by NASA TV of the Curiosity rover landing. Bobak Ferdowsi, flight director at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), appeared on screen with a red, blue, and star-patterned mohawk. This bold haircut contrasted sharply with the traditional image of serious engineers. Although the video was official, online reactions transformed this moment into a cultural phenomenon. Screenshots circulated massively on social media, earning Ferdowsi the nickname 'Mohawk Guy'. A YouTube parody titled *We’re NASA and We Know It*, published on August 15, 2012, further amplified his fame, confirming that his appearance had momentarily eclipsed the technical feat itself.
- 2012Live broadcast of the Curiosity rover landing on August 5, making Bobak Ferdowsi famous for his hairstyle.
How to use the “NASA Mohawk Guy” meme
- Share a screenshot of Ferdowsi to illustrate a moment where a clothing detail distracts from a serious meeting.
- Use the image to comment on a situation where form suddenly takes precedence over substance in a professional context.
- Reference the meme to praise the human and relaxed aspect of a technical team during a public presentation.
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The “NASA Mohawk Guy” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 21144 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Rare |
| Collection | Memes World series 71 |
| Fame | 72/100 · #125 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny) |
How to get the “NASA Mohawk Guy” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; NASA Mohawk Guy comes out of the Memes World series 71 as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “NASA Mohawk Guy”
More cards of the Memes World series 71
Frequently asked questions
Who is the nasa mohawk guy?
It is Bobak Ferdowsi, an engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He went viral after wearing a colorful mohawk during the Curiosity landing broadcast in 2012.
Nasa mohawk guy meaning?
The meme symbolizes capturing an unexpected moment of human lightness amidst a serious scientific event. It highlights the visual impact of a distinctive appearance on the public.
Where does the nasa mohawk meme come from?
It comes from the official NASA TV video broadcasting the Curiosity rover landing on August 5, 2012. Ferdowsi's hairstyle was captured and widely shared online.
Is bobak ferdowski mohawk real?
The hairstyle is real and documented. Ferdowsi wore this mohawk during the Mars Science Laboratory mission, as evidenced by official NASA video archives.
How do I get the NASA Mohawk Guy meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “NASA Mohawk Guy” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the NASA Mohawk Guy card?
It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: 'We're NASA and We Know It': Hilarious Music Video Spoofs Mars Rover Team · 'We're NASA And We Know It' Spoof Video Pokes Fun At Mars Rover Team · the Kurzweil Library Tracking breakthroughs in tech, science, and world progress. · checked on October 12, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.