ScienceFighter Posted May 30, 2009 Posted May 30, 2009 I am wondering if for example, a spacecraft is a light year away and it is en route to collide with an asteroid. So, it sends the info back to scientist on Earth, which will take one year. When the scientist on Earth receive the data, it will send commands back to the spacecraft,which will take another 1 year. However, wouldnt the spacecraft have collided with the asteroid by then?:confused:
J.C.MacSwell Posted May 30, 2009 Posted May 30, 2009 I am wondering if for example, a spacecraft is a light year away and it is en route to collide with an asteroid. So, it sends the info back to scientist on Earth, which will take one year. When the scientist on Earth receive the data, it will send commands back to the spacecraft,which will take another 1 year. However, wouldnt the spacecraft have collided with the asteroid by then?:confused: Yes. This is why we let our teenagers drive, instead of relying on sound signals and operating the controls from our house.
Phi for All Posted May 30, 2009 Posted May 30, 2009 If the craft is unmanned, I would assume the same sensors that picked up the data on the asteroid would report that to the computer navigator for course correction.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now