Slashdot Mirror
GPS on Mars?
Roland Piquepaille writes "SPACE.com published two days ago an article named "Red Planet Wayfinder: A GPS System for Mars." You'll read that NASA researchers are studying a 'global positioning satellite (GPS) system around Mars that could also function as a communications network.' This would imply 'a constellation of microsatellites, or Microsats, and one or more relatively large Mars Aerostationary Relay Satellites, or MARSats,' according to the Mars Network website at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This sounds like a neat idea, but there are several issues here. First, the JPL site mentioned above has not been updated since 1999. Then, there is no mention of such a mission at NASA's Mars exploration program website. So, here is my question: is this a recycled 4-year old article? In this overview, you'll find some spectacular images and more indications leading to think that the article was written in 2000. And please note that a Slashdot reader asked last December 'Whatever Happened To The Mars Network?' without receiving an adequate answer."
I, for one, certainly do NOT welcome our Earthling satellite overlords.
-Marvin
I reckon we will find a giant face, and it will turn out to the home of the sectoids, and it turns out they created us and influenced our evolution, but then we shoot the eye thing and win the war, until 40 years later they come back in an underwater form. What do you reckon? What odds am I offered?
I think I'll have bigger things to worry about than where I am. Things like breathing and keeping warm come to mind.
I wonder if they are going to use the same variable accuracy system like here on earth. we wouldn't want anyone to accurately attack utopia planita :).
I think I would be a waste of money for NASA to build a Mars GPS. The Europeans would not be satisfied with it and would want to build their own.
an ill wind that blows no good
Oh, wait, GPS is more than just a fancy toy?!
Yet another daring spaceproject just to make space availible for rich people who could spend their money on better things! This will never lead to anything good. We have problems down here to take care of first. We should solve ALL our problems before even thinking of going into space! Space is a waste of our taxmoney! We should not only stay where we are, indeed, we should strive to turn the clock back! I want to live in a cave and eat raw fish.
I smell a poll coming on....
Finally a use for all those dorman irridium sattelites! Send them to Mars! Just alter their orbit, one by one until thay are on a 10 year trajectory towards martian orbiotalinsertion.
My Mars GPS is measured in AUs!
"Derp de derp."
"Just thought we should get our TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms) straight."
Oh STF...
"Derp de derp."
I want to be the first to plant a geocache on Mars. I'll make it easy and leave it right out in the open, it'll be a 5,1. Tought to get there, but easy to find when you do arrive. And I'd put a travel bug that is trying to get to Ursala Major . . .
Wouldn't you like to be a pepper, too?
At a velocity of ten meters per hour, do we really need a GPS to avoid losing the rovers?
I wonder if my Garmin will work if I someday get to take that incredible excursion.
Altitude...8 million miles? I think it's broken.
That last part's only if your birthday is in September though...
I call dibs on the first geocache on Mars!
GPS satelites are fine as long as we get the military to put in SA, so we can deny the Martins any ability to use them in a counter-attack.
So, here is my question: is this a recycled 4-year old article?
Also from poster...
the JPL site mentioned above has not been updated since 1999. Then, there is no mention of such a mission at NASA's Mars exploration program website.
I love when people answer their own questions.
I'll believe it when persons wearing comedy glasses and 10gallon hats start working at my local phone company.