It isn't exactly the old Mars Internet proposal, but MTO looks pretty good. In some ways, I'd prefer a small constellation of microsats to provide a communications relay and a navigational capability. That would create a more robust and flexible system than putting everything in a single vehicle, no matter how capable. Still, MTO opens up some really good capabilities for future Mars exploration.

The U.S. is beginning an $800-million project to create an information technology infrastructure at Mars.

This will be essentially a Martian internet where robotic spacecraft will conduct high-data-rate exchanges between themselves and with their Earth-based teams. The objective is to better control increasingly ambitious robotic missions and to return more imagery and data from those flights for faster distribution to the science community and public.

The focal point of the effort will be the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter (MTO), a Mars-orbiting communications satellite already approved and funded by Congress for launch to the red planet in 2009. MTO's advanced operational microwave capability should be able to relay to Earth magnitudes more information than current spacecraft, as well as near-real-time images from NASA's next generation of rovers, also set for launch in 2009. This is currently not possible with Spirit and Opportunity.

MTO will also demonstrate laser communications in addition to being an operational relay using high-speed X- and Ka-band systems.

The Mars Laser Communications Demonstration (MLCD) hardware on the orbiter should validate data rates 10 times faster than those possible with even MTO's advanced microwave systems. The laser segment, however, is to be used primarily for tests to work out pointing challenges and laser photon reception hurdles on Earth.

MTO is also to function as a Mars-based navigation spacecraft to help guide robotic spacecraft approaching Martian orbit, as well as navigate new rovers on the surface. And it's also to release a Martian subsatellite that MTO will fly with to demonstrate Mars orbit navigation and rendezvous, which is important for future sample-return operations.