NASA seeks private help to connect Mars data with Earth

July 28, 2014 08:53 pm | Updated June 02, 2016 06:19 am IST - Washington

This artist rendering released by NASA shows the NASA rover Opportunity on the surface of Mars. Opportunity landed on the red planet on Jan. 24, 2004 and is still exploring.

This artist rendering released by NASA shows the NASA rover Opportunity on the surface of Mars. Opportunity landed on the red planet on Jan. 24, 2004 and is still exploring.

In a bid to broaden participation in the exploration of the Red planet, NASA has called for a new, privately-owned communications network to be set up on Mars.

The U.S. space agency has released a Request for Information (RFI) — a formal paperwork seeking public development of a new system.

“The new network would use a commercially-managed network of satellites orbiting Mars to communicate with rovers on the surface,” NASA said in a statement.

Communication between the Earth and rovers on Mars is rarely carried out directly.

Data is usually sent to orbiters high above the surface of Mars.

These larger vehicles relay the information to mission controllers back on Earth, via high-gain antennae.

The new move is likely to encourage private companies to develop new technologies for use in the system where lasers could be used for the network.

“The new model could be a vital component in future science missions and the path for humans to Mars,” John Grunsfeld, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, was quoted as saying.

NASA currently maintains a pair of orbiters at the Red planet capable of carrying out high-speed communication with Earth.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.