How long does it take NASA to ping a satellite or spacecraft that's orbiting the earth’s moon?

Use this Forum to find information on, or ask a question about, NASA Earth Science data.
Post Reply
tinytank
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Feb 18, 2021 6:20 pm America/New_York
Answers: 0

How long does it take NASA to ping a satellite or spacecraft that's orbiting the earth’s moon?

by tinytank » Thu Feb 18, 2021 6:23 pm America/New_York

Exact time including all 1,000 milliseconds be very nice to know.
Last edited by tinytank on Fri Feb 19, 2021 2:32 pm America/New_York, edited 1 time in total.

Tags:

GES DISC - jimacker
User Services
User Services
Posts: 298
Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2019 1:57 pm America/New_York
Answers: 3
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 4 times

Re: How long does it take NASA to ping a satellite or spacecraft that orbiting the earth’s moon?

by GES DISC - jimacker » Fri Feb 19, 2021 12:48 pm America/New_York

The Earth-Moon distance varies slightly, so the exact signal timing will vary in length as well. You may find this of interest (it includes a statement of a particular Earth-Moon-Earth communications delay).

https://aapt.scitation.org/doi/pdf/10.1119/1.2353576

Exact measurements of radar return times are the principle of measuring sea surface height by satellite, as is done with the recently launched Sentinel-6 "Michael Freilich" mission.

Post Reply