August 20, 2009


the moon has more bandwidth than you.

Or one of its satellites does anyway:

On its current space scouting mission, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is using a pumped up communications device to deliver 461 gigabytes of data and images per day, at a rate of up to 100 Mbps

The best part? The data transfer requires a tube.

A traveling wave tube is needed for high frequency and high power applications such as deep space communications because of its higher power capability and efficiency when compared to solid-state devices, NASA stated. The amplifier uses a new waveguide for input and output that adds strength to withstand mechanical shock and vibrations for enhanced reliability while traveling in the harsh environment of space.

(thanks, Tom)

posted by Andrew Simone in internet, space, technology 

comments

One Response to “the moon has more bandwidth than you.”

  1. Dave Vogt on August 20th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

    a whole series of them, in fact.

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