Voyager Signal Strength Math Problems
Problem Set | Grades 9-12+ | A series of math problems related to the Voyager mission, originally posted by JPL for pi day. The post Voyager Signal Strength Math Problems appeared first on NASA Science .
NASA's Voyager spacecraft, launched in 1977, utilize a 12.5 Watt transmitter in conjunction with a parabolic reflector to generate a circular radio signal, spanning approximately half a degree in diameter. In contrast, a proposed Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) system would employ a significantly lower 4 Watt transmitter, combined with a flight laser transceiver, to emit a light signal boasting an even more minute diameter of just 0.0009 degrees.
As increasing volumes of data traverse the vast expanse of space, NASA is compelled to devise advanced communication technologies, with DSOC emerging as one such promising innovation.
Written by urgent.news from NASA Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
