2001 Mars Odyssey

Telecommunications Description

Communications which are currently planned are via the 70 m antennae of the Deep Space Network (DSN) utilizing an X-band direct link. The telecom subsystem uses a 1.1 meter Cassegrain high-gain antenna for direct-to-Earth links, and consists of the small deep space transponders and 15W RF solid state power amplifiers mounted on the backside of the high gain antenna. The Orbiter will also serve as a relay for communications from the Mars Surveyor 2001 Lander and Rover using a UHF telecom subsystem.