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A Deep Space Primer

Posted by michael on from the don't-forget-the-freeze-dried-ice-cream dept.

phil reed writes "With the latest Mars missions still in the news, people might be curious about what it takes to actually run a deep space mission: how a spacecraft is designed, how the communications are handled, what kind of project management is in place to make it all work. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has a primer online that gives broad general coverage of all aspects of putting a satellite into orbit and how to manage it once it's there. Fascinating reading, with lots of links to more detail."

8 of 118 comments (clear)

  1. Alternative fuels by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    If your peroxide isn't enough, here's an alternative fuel:
    Gastrix

  2. Perfect by Supp0rtLinux · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Now that we can also build a spaceship to go to Mars, I vote we send Bill Gates and Darl McBride. Bill can have the moon. Darl can have Mars. Then we can setup an "asteriods" like game and use the new monopoly planets as targets. Our game would run on Linux of course since MS would be on the moon and UNIX would be on Mars.

    1. Re:Perfect by FrancisR · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      But if Bill owns the moon, then Microsoft would have a monopoly on the tides of the ocean, giving them a firm grip on the beach vacation industry.

  3. did anyone check the html source? by coolgabe · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    the jpl's web peeps use tags?

  4. Misinterpretation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    When I first read the title I thought it said "Deep Space Printer"

  5. Re:Thank God For The USA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    People hate us 'cause we are better than them?
    I thought it was something else.

  6. Grammar bonus points! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic
    "[...] and how to manage it once it's there."

    Oh my God. You used the correct form of "it's". It's a miracle!

  7. if( same(Kerry,Dukakis) ) { choose(Edwards); } by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Edwards seems more genuine and can beat the bush.