Mars in a Minute: What Happens When the Sun Blocks our Signal?

How can you communicate with Mars spacecraft when the Sun is in the way? Learn more about "solar conjunction" in this 60-second video.

[NASAJPL]

#Mars   #NASA   #JourneyToMars  

Don't try to spot Mars in the sky right now... the sun's in the way! "Solar conjunction" also means taking a brief break from sending new commands to our Mars orbiters and rovers.

[DrunkenUFOPilot]

Nicely done illustrations! Gets the key point across well.

[furmanbm]

I've been searching for weeks about whats going to happen at conjunction!! Thanks for the vid, awesome!

[DenysLazarenko]

You've deserved a good vacation, JPL!

[MarsInitiative]

Is there a project to place a solar-orbiting satellite who's orbit would allow us to relay messages to Mars during the conjunction period?

[Daren_PNW]

JPL the past 10 years has been amazing!

[jaynouby]

you should do those videos more often

[noctbot]

Neato! I didn't even think of that problem.

[valhar]

They do plan ahead. They send the rover instructions for it to work on its own during the time when it is out of reach.

[JakeHillKingSpam]

I remember I went on a school fieldtrip to see the mars curiosity be built when I was in TVIS tiefort view intermediate school

[bozolazic]

Hey, thanks.But now I am having an older problem with it not showing me all my subscribers.Pain in the...
Thanks again for your help.

[DanielBloom]

you guys should make the videos 59 seconds, as YouTube adds a second to videos

[gummih]

hehe, that's the word - I had one of those "close enough" moments there :)
But it would be interesting to know if it would be possible to relay the messages through Nasa's STEREO solar observatories? At least some minimal contact.

[sorryham]

It's too expensive to set up a relay. This only happens about once every two years and the outage is brief (a few weeks). It just isn't worth the money needed to put another spacecraft out there as a relay for just a few weeks of outage every two years. That money could be better spent on another probe or for more equipment for a probe that is being planned in the future.

[ian]

301 Views and 312 likes
Its official, you are on YouTube!

[MikaelMurstam]

Oh so he is on vacation on Mars you say -_- curious

[DeJayHank]

So, what's the shortest and longest travel time for the signals sent back and forth to Mars?

[sorryham]

Nope, it isn't possible for Stereo to do this (or any other spacecraft not in Mars orbit right now). It doesn't have the right receiver or transmitter frequencies, nor does it have the very large dish antenna needed to pick up the faint signals from Mars (would need to be dozens of meters across).

[AUHHZUMA]

SOLAR CONJUNCTION SPRING

SOLAR CONJUNCTION SPRING

SOLAR CONJUNCTION SPRING

[NOLAMarathon]

Suggestion: during solar conjunction, just send commands to Mars vehicles using U.S. Mail! Why didn't any of you JPL guys think of that?! Bonus: a first class stamp only costs 46 cents! Plus, making important deliveries to Mars will help the self-esteem of postal workers everywhere!