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An Interplanetary Laser Communications System

Posted by timothy on from the sharks-not-included dept.

caffiend666 writes "A news article at Yahoo states NASA is planning on testing the first laser-based interplanetary communications system on the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter to be launched in 2009. 'Unlike radio frequency signals that wash over the entire Earth, Fitzgerald and his colleagues will be shooting for a much smaller target - the southwestern corner of the United States.' Does this mean we will soon have telescopes outside of our homes soon to pick up high definition TV signals instead of our current 18 inch dishes?"

2 of 303 comments (clear)

  1. Time to do the wash by kfg · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Does this mean we will soon have telescopes outside of our homes soon to pick up high definition TV signals instead of our current 18 inch dishes?"

    No.

    Because for television broadcast to the general population you want to wash the signal over the whole earth, rather than trying to target each receiver. And if you think your reception sucks when it's raining out now. . .

    KFG

  2. Typical by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Here's a story about an ambitious plan to build a laser-based interplanetary communications network and the only thing the story submitter is concerned with is how this will influence his TV reception.

    This, my friends, is why the human race is doomed. Here on slashdot, where we care more about science than most people, all some people can think about is how a new technological advancement can facilitate the transmission of market-research-constructed-SitComs or advertisements for the latest yuppie gizmo to their home.