How Mars rover Curiosity communicates with Earth

The video explains how images from the Curiosity rover on Mars are transmitted back to Earth. Curiosity sends data at 250.6 kilobits per second to Mars orbiters, which then retransmit the data to Earth. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Odyssey play key roles in this process, orbiting Mars at low altitudes. Data is then sent to Earth at speeds of six megabits per second, comparable to a fast internet connection, and received by Deep Space Network antennas located in California, Spain, and Australia. The entire transmission process can take from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the distance between Earth and Mars.

What is the speed at which Curiosity sends images during its Mars mission?

• 100 kilobits per second

• 250.6 kilobits per second

• 1 megabit per second

• 500 kilobits per second

Which Mars orbiter is responsible for receiving signals from Curiosity?

• Mars Global Surveyor

• Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

• Mars Express

• Mars Pathfinder

At what speed does the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter transmit data back to Earth?

• 3 megabits per second

• 1 megabit per second

• 6 megabits per second

• 10 megabits per second

Where are the Deep Space Network antennas located?

• Texas, Italy, and India

• Florida, Germany, and China

• New York, France, and Japan

• California, Spain, and Australia

How long can the entire data transmission process from Mars to Earth take?

• A few seconds

• 5 to 10 minutes

• One day

• 30 minutes to several hours