It could be a good idea, you just need the right wavelength of radio or microwave pulse. It would have to be a wavelength that has good transparency to the atmosphere-ionosphere, and be well absorbed by the surface.
Three sheets of aluminum for the three faces of a zenith facing retro cube wouldn't add much weight to a lander. Even back it with honeycomb to give the klanks something to do. ;)
A multipole or dish focused antenna on the orbiter would be crucial for directing the pulse. Even if it does take a megawatt (I'd suspect it wouldn't), a microsecond pulse at that power is only a joule of emitted energy. I don't know if this is feasable for an orbiter or not. If MGS can supply power for a 22 watt antenna I don't think power would be the prob, just the specialized equipment on the orbiter with the cost and bother of making it spaceworthy.
Space/Science » in reply to Yeah, big talk for a Scottish engineer flying fifty times the speed of light.
Not so bad on the "stealth region".
The whole thread (20 posts)
- Mars Express is best hope for contact with Beagle2
- re: Mars Express is best hope for contact with Beagle2
- Beagle 2 had to deploy properly on the first night, though, to charge its batteries. This rescue endeavor seems like a publicity SCAM, meant to allure tax dollars.
- re: best hope for contact with Beagle2