John Stoffel wrote:
This was a great help, but now that we have more and more deep space
probes, and with the DSN network starting to get overloaded, how would
you make it easier to send probes so that they can do more of their
own navigation work?

Would it help to put some sort of navigation beacon on the surface of
the target planet/moon? Something that the approaching probe could
use for it's own orbital insertion maneuvers?

I think the easiest solution would be to upgrade the DSN (I.E. add
more antennas and site). It's _much_ easier to repair/replace/upgrade
the hardware than beacons located in space.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

-Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings.
Oct 5th, 2004 JDL