Web Sites From Mars by 2009?
Dateline: 07/09/00
 Courtesy of NASA JPL - Mars Network |
As early as 2009, we could be viewing Web pages served up from computers on Mars via NASA's Mars Network.
Mars Network represents a big first step towards NASA's longer-range plan to create what the space agency calls, "a virtual presence throughout the solar system." So much for thinking "globally."
A creation of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the Mars Network will utilize a fleet of six Microsat and MARSat communications satellites placed in orbit over Mars starting as early as 2003.
Initially, the Mars Network would act as "pipeline" through which the eighteen planned robotic exploration tools on Mars could send their data to Earth and accept instructions at much faster rates than possible with standard one-way-only radio transmissions. Ultimately, manned exploration teams and Mars colonies would depend on the Mars Network as their primary lifeline to Earth.
Satellite communications between two Earth-based locations takes place over a total distance of about 40,000 km. But, at a distance of approximately 400 million km., communications between the Earth and Mars is about 100 million times more difficult. For a probe or rover to send its data all the way from Mars to Earth it must have a lot of power and big antennas and solar panels to charge its batteries. The result is a large, heavy payload and slow, often unreliable data transmissions. Acting as a go-between, the Mars Network Internet satellite fleet would allow for smaller, lighter and less expensive probes while also providing the extra bandwidth and computer multitasking capability necessary for much higher data transmission speeds over shorter distances.
NASA expects the Mars Network to provide what it calls an improved "sense of presence" to Mars-Earth communications. For example, live video rather than once-an-hour snapshots. Basically, a "sense of presence" means more like being there.
While the immediate goal of Mars Network is to connect Mars on the Internet, NASA has even bigger plans for the system. "To the extent that these efforts succeed at Mars, one can imagine Mars becoming the first of many gateways on an Interplanetary Internet - an Internet that would enable virtual presence throughout the solar system." -- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Think of it. Day-trading from the moons of Jupiter, or buying Pluto rocks over E-bay.
Reference Links
Mars Network - Gateway to the Mars Frontier
The home page of JPL's project to get Mars online by 2009.Mars Network - Images
Pictures, drawing, and Quick Time movies of the concepts and hardware to be used on connecting Mars to the Internet.Mars Surveyor Program
Searching for indicators of past and/or present life on Mars.Evidence of Flowing Water Found on Mars
Photos from the Mars Global Surveyor suggesting that liquid water has seeped onto the surface of Mars in its geologically recent past.Interplanetary Internet Study
A group performing technical research into how the Earth's internet may be extended into interplanetary space.JPL Telecommunications and Mission Operations Directorate
Basically responsible for all aspects of voice and data communications between NASA's Earth-based stations and all space missions and hardware.Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
CNES is the public body in France responsible for all sectors of space technology and activity. (French language site.)
Mission Control comes to your PC
Space fans can now view real-time displays of the exact orbital positions of the Space Shuttle, International Space Station and many other satellites on NASA’s J-Track -- Liftoff 2.5 Web site. It’s like having Mission Control right on your PC. From your About Guide.
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Life on Mars links, from your About Guide to Ecology Jim Merickel.
Coverage of all the Mars unmanned probes and Mars information, from your About Guide to Astronomy for Kids Cynthia Phillips.
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