What is the range of the one-way light time delay for commands traveling from Earth to Mars?
Answer
About 3 to 22 minutes
The physical distance between Earth and Mars causes a significant time lag in signal travel, known as the light time delay. This delay is not constant because the planets move relative to each other in their orbits. When transmissions are sent from Earth, the time it takes for the signal to reach Mars can vary substantially, typically falling within a window spanning from approximately three minutes up to twenty-two minutes. This variability is a fundamental constraint that necessitates planning operations in batches for autonomous execution rather than attempting moment-to-moment remote control.
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