Level 6: Light delay

Space and time · level 6 of 8 · rough age 13-14 (a guide for parents; anyone can start anywhere)

Every message to Mars is minutes old when it arrives, and the delay changes from day to day. This level works out the delay from the two orbits, then follows how mission teams live with it: one plan a sol, relays in orbit, two quiet weeks when the Sun gets in the way, and radio timing so precise it measures the distance to Mars.

Lesson	You will be able to
Distance from orbits	Work out the Earth to Mars distance from where the planets are
One way and round trip	Tell one-way from round-trip delay and use each
Planning a sol of commands	Explain why a rover gets one plan a sol
Relays in orbit	Explain why rovers send their data through orbiters
Solar conjunction	Explain why contact with Mars pauses every two years or so
Ranging to Mars	Turn a radio round-trip time into a distance

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