1. Aerospace Engineering Department, Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano, Italy;2. Delft Center for Systems and Control, TUDelft, Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD Delft, The Netherlands
Abstract:
This paper analyses the possibility of exploiting a small spacecrafts constellation around Mars to ensure a complete and continuous coverage of the planet, for the purpose of supporting future human and robotic operations and taking advantage of optical transmission techniques. The study foresees such a communications mission to be implemented at least after 2020 and a high data-rate requirement is imposed for the return of huge scientific data from massive robotic exploration or to allow video transmissions from a possible human outpost.