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> So when do we put up GPS satellites around Mars? A system like GPS? Probably never. It would be fantastically expensive and solve a problem that no one has.
by staplung 2y ago
> So when do we put up GPS satellites around Mars?
A system like GPS? Probably never. It would be fantastically expensive and solve a problem that no one has. In any case, the moons would be a poor choice for signal transmitters: 1. landers are harder than satellites 2. two moons is not enough for a system like GPS 3. three-body problems mean that we can't really know the future configurations of the system with high precision on anything but the very short scale.
In any case, it costs something like $700 million per year to operate the GPS system here on Earth.
- 7952 2y agoNavigation just seems comparatively easier than earth. You are much more likely to have a clear view of the terrain or sky. And the terrain is much less likely to change than the earth so computer vision should be easier.
- JoeAltmaier 2y agoAlready several orbiters around Mars now. To include a GPS radio in each would have been negligible further cost. And even three orbiters would give you a better fix than none. I think the naysayers are reaching, to argue against GPS transmitters around Mars. It seems inevitable.