2
$\begingroup$

How do Mars rovers send data back to Earth? Do they have some kind of built in WI-FI routers or is there any other connection?

$\endgroup$
4
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ Please ask only one question per question. If you have two questions, ask two questions. It would also help if you could explain what research you have done, what answers you found, and why those answers were unsatisfactory to you. That way, you avoid people wasting their time telling you stuff that you already know. $\endgroup$ Sep 6, 2021 at 11:17
  • $\begingroup$ Please clarify your specific problem or provide additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it's hard to tell exactly what you're asking. $\endgroup$
    – Community Bot
    Sep 6, 2021 at 13:11
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ "How do Mars rovers send data back to Earth?" can be answered by looking through this site. Even requiring three tags gets enough answers to answer this. communication + mars + rovers $\endgroup$
    – uhoh
    Sep 6, 2021 at 22:37
  • $\begingroup$ World's longest Ethernet cable. $\endgroup$
    – Mark
    Sep 9, 2021 at 0:38

1 Answer 1

5
$\begingroup$

Generally what happens is that radio signals are sent from the Martian surface to a spacecraft orbiting Mars, which then sends the data to Earth.

As an example, the current NASA missions on the Martian surface (Perseverance, Curiosity, and InSight) send data via radio signals to the Mars Relay Network, which consists of various NASA and ESA Martian orbiters. This network then relays the radio signals to Earth that is picked up by a network of three radio antenna facilities known as the NASA Deep Space Network.

Update: Directly sending a radio signal to Earth from a Mars rover is also possible through a High Gain Antenna, albeit at a lower data rate (ex. Curiosity and Perseverance).

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.