OK, so NASA is sending radio signals to Spirit (and Opportunity), and the rovers are sending radio signals back. I assume these are not tight-beam transmissions, and that they can be picked up by a properly-tuned homebuilt reciever. The question is, are NASA and the rovers using signed, encrypted data channels? If so, are they using known cryptosystems and existing protocols, or did they make some up ad hoc, just for the rovers? For their sake, I hope so. Technically, anyone with a transceiver could intercept and decode the transmissions, and taint or falsify the communications. Actually, this is a worry with any wireless communication scheme, but in this case at least no one can reverse-engineer the communication systems. One would either have to get to Mars or break into NASA's control center... both of which are unrealistic and unlikely. But it is an issue to be considered, ne?
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OK, so NASA is sending radio signals to Spirit (and Opportunity), and the rovers are sending radio signals back. I assume these are not tight-beam transmissions, and that they can be picked up by a properly-tuned homebuilt reciever. The question is, are NASA and the rovers using signed, encrypted data channels? If so, are they using known cryptosystems and existing protocols, or did they make some up ad hoc, just for the rovers? For their sake, I hope so. Technically, anyone with a transceiver could intercept and decode the transmissions, and taint or falsify the communications. Actually, this is a worry with any wireless communication scheme, but in this case at least no one can reverse-engineer the communication systems. One would either have to get to Mars or break into NASA's control center... both of which are unrealistic and unlikely. But it is an issue to be considered, ne?