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ESA Mars Express probe transmitted data from the Chinese Zhurong Mars rover.

 ESA Mars Express probe transmitted data from the Chinese Zhurong Mars rover. 



Image 1. 


In this test, the Chinese rover sends a blind data package by using ESA Mars Express orbital probe as a relay station. That probe ended its mission in 2005. The "blind" data transmitted means that the Chinese rover used the data transmission protocol that looks like UDP where the transmitting system doesn't get the echo and the system sends data blindly. That means the receiving system doesn't know that if the system received data. 

The receiving system can send checksum or that data as an echo. To make sure that the data is received. This kind of "blind" communication could help to save the rovers and probes. That is lost control of the ground station. In that kind of case, the elder probes can transmit the aiming data for the communication antenna. 



Image 2

There is also the possibility that Earth is sending the laser marks for aiming the prime communication antenna. In that version. The antenna would turn and aim to the laser point. In that case, the communication antenna would have an automatic search mode for laser and radio frequencies. The antenna searches the marks that are coming from Earth. Laser communication is immune to the solar wind. And the probe can use radio communication through the dust.

And that helps to get the connection between probe and control center. This experiment is interesting because it can save the rover if its prime antenna is turned away from Earth. In some versions, the communication satellite that orbits Mars would receive data in the form of laser impulses. And then it can transmit data to rovers by using the radio-maser or laser communication system. 

The laser aiming communication system can also save the James Webb telescope. The data can transmit its mirror by using the laser. And that helps the telescope to find the ground station in the cases. That the main communication antenna is lost connection. 




Image 3: 


Is nuclear power necessary for Mars Rovers?


The use of orbiting relay satellites makes it possible that the Mars-rovers can operate also at the night side of Red Planet if they use nuclear propulsion. But there is another way to make the probe that has not RTG, but what can operate night side. That system is more complicated but safer than RTG Radio Thermal Generator. 

 Another way to operate at Mars could be to use the bacteria that form hydrocarbon for fuel cells. In that case, the closed biological circulation of nutrient and anaerobic bacteria forms methane that can use as fuel in fuel cells. And aerobic bacteria or cells can form oxygen for those futuristic systems. In the daytime, that rover can use solar panels. And at night time the bioreactors, fuel cells, and regular batteries for creating power for that system. 


Sources: 


 Images 1 and 2: https://scitechdaily.com/a-successful-one-way-blind-phone-call-at-mars/


Image 3: https://fi.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiedosto:Curiosity_-_The_Next_Mars_Rover.jpg

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