Thanks BenLurkin.
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Posted on 04/04/2013 5:52:37 PM PDT by BenLurkin
In an effort to avoid problems caused by interference, NASA will temporarily limit scientific observations by its Mars rovers and orbiters beginning Thursday as the Red Planet passes behind the sun as seen from Earth. The sun will appear between Earth and Mars throughout the month of April in a setup known as a Mars solar conjunction, which can interfere with communications between the two planets. Specifically, during these solar conjunctions, solar flares and charged particles being emitted from the sun can disrupt radio communications, and thus could interfere with the stream of data being sent back and forth to NASA's spacecraft and rovers on Mars.
Solar conjunctions appear every 26 months or so, each time causing temporary stand-downs of NASA's Mars missions. NASA's Mars Odyssey orbiter has gone through six conjunctions, providing NASA with sufficient experience to ensure a smooth transition. Curiosity is the only piece of equipment that has yet to be through a solar conjunction.
Communications with and control of the Mars Curiosity rover and communications with the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will be suspended beginning Thursday, with communications with the Opportunity rover ending and Odyssey orbiter being limited beginning April 9. The spacecraft will be fully back online by May 1.
You think about Uranus too much.
Another consequence of the sequester.
So why hasn’t this been in the press prior to this year as such a big deal given they’ve been on mars through multiple cycles? Maybe it’s sequestration?!?!?!?!?!?/s
Good question.
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Extra to APoD members.
Uranus retentive. That’s what you are.
Hello, my name is Ranus, Hugh Ranus. Damn glad to meet ya.
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