SpaceX Wants To Develop Marslink, Special Communication Satellite For Mars
JAKARTA NASA held a group meeting to analyze the Mars Exploration Program (MEP) some time ago. During the meeting, SpaceX presented the design of the constellation Marslink.
Marslink is a constellation consisting of communication satellites. Similar to Starlink, this spacecraft will be placed in Mars orbit and will provide communication networks from Earth to the planet, and vice versa.
Citing from Spaceflight Now, SpaceX describes Marslink as, "several satellites stationed in Mars orbit to provide full visibility and interoperability for land and orbital assets."
This Mars satellite with the Starlink concept will be an optical link between a relay satellite and a customer satellite. According to SpaceX claims, Marslink will exceed NASA's requested capabilities and be able to perform extra global imaging and monitoring.
This idea is not surprising because Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX, is very ambitious with the idea of landing on Mars. Musk even plans to send humans to Mars and build a permanent habitat on the planet full of carbon dioxide atmospheres.
Meanwhile, Starlink's capabilities are unquestionable as SpaceX has successfully launched more than 7,000 Starlinks to date. This communication satellite constellation continues to develop and its services have expanded to more countries.
Currently, Starlink is operating in 102 countries and the capabilities of its satellite network are being discussed positively. If Marslink's plans are successfully developed, this satellite may be able to achieve the same success in the future.