How The Solar Prevents NASA From Speaking With Its Mars Robots

Whereas the solar is between Earth and Mars, alerts despatched from NASA to the rovers and orbiters might be interrupted or in any other case disturbed, doubtlessly damaging the fragile and costly gear. This video from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory explains how scientists plan for photo voltaic conjunction by sending sufficient directions upfront to maintain the rovers busy throughout the phenomenon. Any knowledge gathered throughout the break is saved for transmission as soon as the solar is out of the way in which. This specific conjunction started on November 11 and can final till November 25. 

Photo voltaic conjunction additionally permits NASA’s busy scientists some much-needed downtime. NASA’s web site explains how employees handles the crucial interval. “Engineers have turn into expert at letting spacecraft be on their very own. Earlier than photo voltaic conjunction, the mission staff sends up any vital instructions. Many then take into account it an opportune time to take just a few well-deserved trip days.”

The timing of this specific photo voltaic conjunction may also permit NASA staffers to spend Thanksgiving at dwelling with their households as a substitute of huddled at pc displays, poring via knowledge despatched from greater than 235 million miles away.