Some spacecraft return to Earth with valuable data as part of
their cargo, but all require some periodic remote communications
as they travel. And for those spacecraft that do not return to
Earth, the communication system is the only link to the valuable
data collected during its journey. In this activity, students
simulate spacecraft radio communication concepts, including the
speed of light and the time-delay for signals sent to and from
spacecraft. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Use the speed of light to measure the amount of time a radio
signal takes to travel to a spacecraft. - Demonstrate the delay
in radio communication signals to and from a spacecraft. -
Devise unique solutions to the radio-signal-delay problem. [1MB
PDF file] Signals and Noise Ratio Signals and Noise, Oh Boy!