2 Minutes Space radio signals travel at the speed of light. This amounts to 300,000 kilometers per second. In relation to vast solar system distances, this still amounts to a long time. This time can cause communication difficulties because of the delay in receiving messages sent from Earth to the shuttle and from the shuttle back to Earth. Between Mars, Titan, and the Moon, from which place will you have the quickest communications back to Earth?HINT: Use the planetary data table to compare how long it takes light, which travels in space at the same speed as radio waves, to reach Earth from the three locations. A) MoonB) MarsC) TitanD) All are equal. |