Power Management is of Preeminent Importance
Power availability affects all aspects of deployed internet operation
- Solar conversion is the primary power source for foreseeable future
- Example: The average solar intensity in Mars orbit is 590 W/m2, compared with 1370 W/m2 in Earth orbit
- Surface-based solar panels are subject to
- Atmospheric dust limiting available solar energy
- Dust build-up on/erosion of solar panels, reducing effectiveness over time
- Location-based reductions in solar intensity
- Seasonal variations in solar intensity
Efficiency of communication at all layers is required to offset the limitations of power availability