NASA Probe Blasts 461 Gigabytes of Moon Data Daily

coondoggie writes "On its current space scouting mission, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is using a pumped up communications device to deliver 461 gigabytes of data and images per day, at a rate of up to 100 Mbps. As the first high data rate K-band transmitter to fly on a NASA spacecraft, the 13-inch-long tube, called a Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier, is making it possible for NASA scientists to receive massive amounts of images and data about the moon's surface and environment. The amplifier was built by L-3 Communications Electron Technologies in conjunction with NASA's Glenn Research Center. The device uses electrodes in a vacuum tube to amplify microwave signals to high power. It's ideal for sending large amounts of data over a long distance because it provides more power and more efficiency than its alternative, the transistor amplifier, NASA stated." It kills me that the moon has better bandwidth than my house.

Comments

Insane

[DoofusOfDeath]

Their Cingular bill is going to suck.

Don't feel bad, CmdrTaco

[Shin-LaC]

I'm sure you can still beat the moon in latency.

Re:Sure, it can blast huge amounts of data

[shadowblaster]

Sure it can, after all it's got a 13 inch "tube".

Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier?

[Spazholio]

You just KNOW that the original name for the device was "Traveling Wave Amplified Tube" until some NASA jackass noticed the acronym and ruined it for everyone.

Re:Don't try this in Space

[wbren]

Tomorrow's headline: "RIAA Lobbies Congress to Shut Down NASA"

Re:This is not exactly a new device...

[MiniMike]

That is the most eloquent "RTFA" I've ever seen...

Re:Spam

[ovu]

I have never before heard a serious conversation pitting the respective benefits of trannys vs. tubes in this context...