[extropy-chat] FWD [forteana] Re: a Titanic blooper [Cassini-Huygens]

[Terry W. Colvin]

--- In forteana at yahoogroups.com, Roy Stilling <rpjs at k...> wrote:
> "Scientists now say that missing data can be recovered via a network
> of radio telescopes that listened for Huygens' signals as it plunged
> through Titan's atmosphere and settled on the surface on 14 January."

That refers to the Doppler wind measurements - the experiment wasn't
switched on due to a coding error, but luckily the radio telescopes
picked up enough of the signal to calculate the effects of the wind.

Some photos were lost, but they were not transmitted on both channels
- they took the chance that both channels would operate. Almost all
other data was transmitted with full redundancy. Essentially, if they
wanted the photos so badly they should have arranged for them to be
transmitted on both channels - but even then they'd still only be able
to send 350 pictures in total (they received 350 on the one operating
channel). 

Rob

whose signature now sits on titan


-- 
"Only a zit on the wart on the heinie of progress." Copyright 1992, Frank Rice


Terry W. Colvin, Sierra Vista, Arizona (USA) < fortean1 at mindspring.com >
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