3 ms·
" it takes a long time for data to travel from there to here" It doesn't take that long for it to travel, the data transmission rate is not very fast, and Curi
by jonhendry 14y ago
" it takes a long time for data to travel from there to here"
It doesn't take that long for it to travel, the data transmission rate is not very fast, and Curiosity doesn't have constant access to the Mars-orbiting satellites that relay the data to Earth.
And besides that, its primary job is not taking pretty pictures.
- xfhai 14y agoIf there is a satellite that orbits between Earth and Mars parallel to orbit of Mars, there could be better transmission.
- jonhendry 14y agoThe main thing is that the rover only has about 8 minutes a day to transmit to the orbiting satellites. The optimal thing would be a satellite in areostationary orbit over Mars' equator such that it is always reachable by the lander. Unfortunately such a satellite wouldn't be well-placed for many other potential landing sites.