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GPS on Mars?

Posted by michael on from the less-talk-more-satellites dept.

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."

7 of 168 comments (clear)

  1. Well.. by paranode · · Score: 4, Funny

    I, for one, certainly do NOT welcome our Earthling satellite overlords.

    -Marvin

    1. Re:Well.. by cccpkgb · · Score: 5, Funny

      is this a recycled 4-year old article?

      You must be new here.

  2. If I accidentally get lost on Mars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think I'll have bigger things to worry about than where I am. Things like breathing and keeping warm come to mind.

    1. Re:If I accidentally get lost on Mars by JollyGreenLlama · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's good to know that when I'm driving around Mars in my Ford Explorer with OnStar that I'll easily be able to make my way from Red Boulder #007994 to Red Boulder #008515 without getting lost.

  3. resoultion by MrLint · · Score: 4, Funny

    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 :).

  4. what a waste! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

  5. Re:Robinson called it "APS" (mildly OT) by NanoGator · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Just thought we should get our TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms) straight."

    Oh STF...

    --
    "Derp de derp."