ESA - ESOC - New concept may enhance Earth-Mars communication

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New concept may enhance Earth-Mars communication

16 October 2009

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An artist's impression of Mars Express. The spacecraft left Earth for Mars on 2 June 2003. It reached its destination after a six-month journey, and has been investigating the planet since early 2004.

Credits: ESA - D. Ducros

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This artist's impression shows the trajectory of ESA SMART-1 spacecraft in the final phase of its mission, due to end through a small impact on the lunar surface.

After two weeks of manoeuvres started on 19 June and concluded on 2 July 2006, the impact is now set to occur on the near side and most probably at 05:41 UT (07:41 CEST) on 3 September 2006.

Credits: ESA - C. Carreau

Q1. What is special about the orbital positions described in your paper?

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Johannes Kepler (27 December 1571 – 15 November 1630) was a German mathematician, astronomer and astrologer, and key figure in the 17th century scientific revolution. This image is a copy of the 1610 original in the Benedictine Monastery, Krems.

Credits: Artist unknown

Q3. Why not simply use the thrusters that most satellites already have, like those on Mars Express or Venus Express?

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The need for GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer) to fly in a low orbit means it has to be equipped with a system to compensate for the atmospheric drag it will experience at this exceptionally low altitude. The animation shows a close-up of the ion-propulsion assembly, which keeps the satellite in a smooth trajectory – free from all effects except the gravity field itself. Two winglets provide additional aerodynamic stability.

Credits: ESA – AOES Medialab

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ESA-funded research: innovative Mars-Earth communications

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End-on view of an alternative Mars – Earth communication relay architecture option, looking into the Ecliptic plane.

Credits: ESA/University Strathclyde/University Glasgow

Q5. Could such a double-spacecraft, 'continuous-thrust' mission be launched today?

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Artist's impression of humans on Mars

Credits: ESA

Space Operations & Situational Awareness

General Studies Programme

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University of Strathclyde University of Glasgow