Comments on: The aging data relay spacecraft orbiting Mars https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/the-aging-data-relay-spacecraft-orbiting-mars/ Tue, 08 May 2018 22:15:14 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Localfluff https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/the-aging-data-relay-spacecraft-orbiting-mars/#comment-1051086 Tue, 08 May 2018 22:15:14 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=51523#comment-1051086 I think this will be solved by using other spacecrafts as relays. Satellites will be launched to Mars every conjunction form now and ever after. ESA’s ExoMars trace gas orbiter is now in its science orbit that has a NASA telecom relay installed. Russia will make another attempt to reach Phobos. JAXA will launch the Mars’ moons explorer MMX. And soon Elon Musk will start launching his retirement luggage there, and his space internet satellite fleet idea of course has its eyes on Mars.

]]> By: geoffc https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/the-aging-data-relay-spacecraft-orbiting-mars/#comment-1051065 Tue, 08 May 2018 19:29:28 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=51523#comment-1051065 That is ok. SpaceX will be landed on Mars before NASA funds an replacement communication relay. I am sure a BFR can drop one off in orbit.

But seriously, even on Elon time, expect a cargo flight to Mars by BFR mid-2020’s which is almost certainly before NASA can gets its act together.

]]> By: Diane Wilson https://behindtheblack.com/behind-the-black/points-of-information/the-aging-data-relay-spacecraft-orbiting-mars/#comment-1051062 Tue, 08 May 2018 19:10:00 +0000 http://behindtheblack.com/?p=51523#comment-1051062 I seem to remember that MAVEN has telecommunications capability, although its science orbit leaves much to be desired as far as actual use for communications goes. If true, that is a backup possibility, at some sacrifice of MAVEN’s primary goals.

Perhaps Elon Musk could make his first Mars mission a fleet of Starlink satellites to provide cheap internet access for Mars…..

]]>