We all know that MRO uses a backup S-band transmitter from the MER program, which operates on the same frequency as one of the MERs (Oppy, IIRC). No one thought there could possibly be a conflict, since MRO was not going to arrive at Mars until more than three years after the MERs, and of course the MERs would have definitely ceased functioning by then...

Now they have to plan use of the MER DTE system and MRO's data link more carefully than otherwise, because of this conflict that no one thought could ever have happened.

MSL is launching in two years (at least supposedly), and while one might make the assumption that the MERs will definitely be dead by then, the time between now and MSL landing is less than the time between the MER landings and now.

Do we know for certain that MSL is being designed such that there will be no conflicts of any kind with the MERs, if either or both Spirit and Opportunity are still functioning when it arrives? There aren't any more spare S-band transmitters from the MER program that MSL is planning on using, are there...?

Just curious...

-the other Doug

1. This has nothing to do with using "spares". It has something to do with a limited number of DSN channels (frequency bands). I do not know which channel MSL will use. I *assume* not a channel currently in use by a Mars probe (MERs, MRO ODY, MEX). Lets use MGS' .
2. The MERs and MRO, MSL and MEX all operate in X-band, not S-band. The frequency is about 4 times higher.
3. It is Spirit who uses the same channel than MRO.

Analyst

Supposedly?
Is there any possible delay announced?

None that I know of - they've been given all the cash they need to get it to the pad for '09

Doug

For some reason, especially since I haven't seen a final complete design and the experiment suite has not been finalized (as far as the last I've heard), it just occurs to me that maybe I ought not assume that MSL is going to fly on time. But, hey -- if they have all the cash they need, I should stop worrying and learn to love the Bomb... *grin*...

-the other Doug

Sure there are not many details known (yet) about the final design, but 2 1/2 years from launch small design changes are still likely. The instrument suite has been selected long ago, some small adjustments there are possible too. But the overall design is pretty much fixed.

I would not worry about MSL, but about the whole NASA planetary program after 2010.

Analyst