What phrase describes the period when controllers must schedule transmission because an orbiter is passing overhead of the rover?
Answer
Uplink/downlink window
The successful relay of data hinges on precise timing related to the orbital paths of the relay spacecraft circling Mars. Orbiters are positioned to pass over a specific rover location multiple times per day. During these designated passes, the rover transmits its stored data up to the satellite, and the satellite subsequently relays it to Earth. This precise temporal synchronization requirement is referred to as the uplink/downlink window. Ground controllers must meticulously schedule these events based on the known location and timing of the orbital passes to ensure the data transfer occurs successfully.
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