New concept may enhance Earth-Mars communication

[Notebook]

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Operations/SEM1OFYRA0G_0.html

http://www.slideshare.net/esaops/nonkeplerian-orbits-using-low-thrust-high-isp-propulsion-systems

looks like fun.


N

 

[2552]

Interesting. Although, I wonder if it wouldn't be simpler to just place a relay sat in a solar orbit with a period of 780 (or 390?) days, such that when Mars and Earth are at conjunction, the relay sat is at an ~90 degree angle to the sun, providing a way around the sun's radio blockage.

 

[agentgonzo]

Or just put a relay sat at one of the Sun-Earth L4 or L5 points.

 

[JamesG]

Yeah, but a sat in solar polar orbit could do double duty as a solar observatory (ie; SOHO) plus it would get interesting perspectives on the solar system and the composition of the stuff beyond from the zenith and nadir of the orbit.

 

[jinglesassy]

yeah when i was reading it i thought why dont you just put a satelite in solar orbit for communications and observing stuff it would be cheaper and easier and able to do science stuff in the other times not just be idle when its not needed

 

[RisingFury]

I think distance and thust travel time and power consumption might be a factor they're considering here.

Keep in mind, it ain't easy to place something into a solar polar orbit. The only way we can do that is by slinging around Jupiter, which leaves you with an orbit that's quite far out there...

 

[tori]

The only way we can do that is by slinging around Jupiter, which leaves you with an orbit that's quite far out there...

You can just as easily use any other planet... it's actually quite easy to plan with transx (using a scenario editor to place a target).

 

[Lunar Pilot]

Martian Communication

Wouldn't a far simpler solution be just to put a satellite in the same orbit as Mars, but exactly 90 degrees behind it, so that when Earth and Mars are on opposite sides of the sun, we can relay all communications through the satellite. And it wouldn't require a solar polar orbit or continuous thrust orbit like in the article either.

 

[Richy]

That position wouldn't be stable, the satelite may this way throughn out our solar system, in worst case. But the Lagrange-points would be far more stable.

 

[Urwumpe]

That position wouldn't be stable, the satelite may this way throughn out our solar system, in worst case. But the Lagrange-points would be far more stable.

AFAIR, Mars has no stable L4/L5 because of the proximity of Jupiter, you would still need thrusters to stabilize.

EDIT: Also the L4/L5 points would be ten times further away from Mars, than the relay satellites in the example. That is a difference that makes you calculate. Thats 40 db gain in signal strength compared to relaying over a L4/L5 point.