Fail-proof is not possible. Fail-tolerance is the goal. Engineers design for robustness, and try to include enough redundancy in critical systems to allow work-arounds in the event of failure. It is too costly to provide back-ups for every system on a probe, and some systems are too heavy and bulky to have back-ups, so these systems must be robust. Data pathways, chipsets, etc. are generally lighter and smaller and can be backed up. The design of any probe has to revolve around costs, payload weight, fuel requirements, etc, etc. If you design in too much redundancy, the weight of the probe increases, the amount fuel required to launch it increases, the amount fuel required to maneuver the probe increases. All these increase project costs and reduce the number of "nice to have" and "optional" sensors, experiments, etc that your friends and associates want to tack onto the probe.rhia said:
rhia said:
Space probes travel to other planets using rockets or other propulsion systems such as ion engines. Once in space, they use the gravitational pull of planets to slingshot and gain speed, ultimately reaching their destination.
The time it takes for a space probe to reach another planet varies depending on the distance between the two planets, the speed of the probe, and the type of propulsion system used. On average, it takes 6-9 months to reach Mars, and 7-12 years to reach Jupiter.
The main purpose of sending space probes to other planets is to gather scientific data and information about these planets. This data can help us better understand the origins of our solar system, the potential for life on other planets, and the effects of space travel on human beings.
Space probes use radio waves to communicate with Earth. They have powerful antennas that can send and receive signals over long distances. The data and images collected by the probe are transmitted back to Earth in the form of radio signals.
Sending space probes to other planets is a complex and challenging task. Some of the challenges include designing a probe that can withstand the harsh conditions of space, ensuring accurate navigation and communication, and dealing with unexpected obstacles such as solar flares and debris. There is also a significant financial and technological investment required to successfully launch and operate a space probe.