I just want to know how they can transmit that data millions of miles. Most days I barely get 3 bars on my cellphone. (Seriously, how can something transmit that far?)
“I just want to know how they can transmit that data millions of miles. Most days I barely get 3 bars on my cellphone. (Seriously, how can something transmit that far?)”
For a start, scientists have discovered the optimal radio frequencies that best cut through the random background radio noise in space. I expect the digital communication protocols have a lot of data redundancy and error corrections built in. Radio waves act just like light waves, they grow weaker with distance, but don’t suddenly conk out. The important thing is using huge antennas and ultra sensitive radio receivers to capture and magnify the faint signals. Most amazing, this space probe transmitter emits only 10 watts of power, not a whole lot more power than a CB radio! By comparison, the most powerful AM radio stations in the US broadcast 50,000 watts.