SpaceX has very ambitious plans for Starlinkits satellite Internet service, but not only for its current use on Earth, but also for possible future implementation on Mars. This is evidenced by a recent presentation Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) from NASA.
Elon Musk’s company has unveiled a project on how the technology currently used in Starlink could be adapted to transmit information to and from the Red Planet. The initiative is part of a request that NASA asked various companies to suggest how their designs could be applied during Mars exploration.
In the case of SpaceX, the communication system will allow transmit more than 4 Mbit/s information at a distance of 1.5 astronomical units; that is, the average distance from the Sun to Mars. The Starlink-based platform is mentioned under the name Marslink, although it is unclear whether this will be the final name if a decision is made to create it.
SpaceX’s goal is to: deploy a constellation of satellites in Mars orbit similar to those currently used by Starlink. They will provide “full visibility and interoperability” for both on-orbit and ground-based assets, the aerospace company said.
They will then communicate with the Starlink satellites, which currently provide Internet connectivity throughout our planet. To clarify this, SpaceX mentions the use of an “optical communication link”, about which it does not provide further details. However, it could be a laser system that the company currently uses in its satellite equipment. can support connections at speeds of 100 Gbps per channel and with uptime 99%.
Starlink for Mars, SpaceX NASA proposal
Beyond the technical challenges that developing Starlink for Mars would entail, SpaceX is confident its proposal will work. Elon Musk’s company even mentions that the infrastructure will exceed the requested capacity and provide additional monitoring and image capture capabilities.
He Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group These types of commercial opportunities are still being explored, so no immediate determination is expected. In fact, SpaceX is not the only company that has presented projects to develop a communication system with the Red Planet. Lockheed Martin And Blue OriginJeff Bezos’ firm also demonstrated its Starlink-like solutions to NASA.
SpaceX has become key moment for NASA and the future of space exploration. The American company not only transports astronauts and cargo to and from the International Space Station using the Crew Dragon and Cargo Dragon capsules, but also has big plans for Starship.
The ship, powered by a Super Heavy rocket that will soon make its sixth test flight, is needed to return to the Moon. Let’s not forget that the mission cosmonauts Artemis III They will use a lunar lander based on a SpaceX spacecraft. Additionally, Musk is keen for Starship to become the platform for sending humans to Mars for the first time, so it wouldn’t be strange if it was also used to deploy Starlink satellites deeper in the future.
Source: Hiper Textual
