data collection articles
What is the minimum distance separating Earth and Mars at their closest approach?
Which three locations house the primary complexes of the Deep Space Network (DSN)?
What operational strategy allows the DSN complexes to maintain near-continuous contact with deep space assets?
What is the maximum data rate achievable when a rover communicates using its UHF radio system to an orbiter?
How often does planetary rotation typically block line-of-sight communication from Mars to a DSN antenna?
What is the minimum one-way travel time required for a command sent from Earth to reach a surface asset on Mars?
What is the primary advantage of using the Mars Relay Network (MRN) orbiters over Direct-to-Earth (DTE) communication from a rover?
Which radio system does the *Curiosity* rover utilize as the preferred method for high-speed relay traffic to an orbiter?
What specific orbiters comprise the current five-spacecraft constellation in the Mars Relay Network (MRN)?
What critical data flow step occurs immediately after a rover beams data via UHF to an active relay satellite?
What is the range of the one-way light time delay for commands traveling from Earth to Mars?
What two critical factors severely constrain the direct communication link a rover uses via its High-Gain Antenna (HGA)?
Which antenna type is typically employed by Martian rovers for the more common, power-efficient link with an orbiting spacecraft?
What frequency range do Martian orbiters typically utilize when transmitting relayed scientific data down to Earth stations?
What phrase describes the period when controllers must schedule transmission because an orbiter is passing overhead of the rover?
What is the designated primary communication gateway on Earth responsible for receiving signals from Mars missions?
What key characteristic of the Deep Space Network (DSN) overcomes the challenge posed by Earth's rotation?
What must a rover commander balance when deciding between using the HGA for an emergency check-in versus the UHF relay system?
What specific procedure is standard for maintaining data integrity when the DSN or an orbiter detects corrupted signal segments?