Space exploration — The new challenge to the electronics industry

The electronics industry today faces its greatest challenge, the development of a system to control remotely a space-research vehicle. It must prepare man's path into space. A two-way radio data link will be one specific goal. This link should transfer data between Earth and vehicle to provide guidance and observation data, and to permit control of vehicle trajectory and instrumentation through an Earth-to-vehicle control loop. The system should operate out to Mars, a distance of 50 million miles, under extremes of temperature and radiation far above present standards, and with self-contained power sources. A radar-beacon data link providing guidance through a simple inertial autopilot would appear to be a reasonable approach, based upon extensions to presently-developed techniques. Operating with Earth-based, 500-mc radars resembling present trans-horizon communications equipment, a vehicle beacon of 2-kw output power would permit vehicle orbiting of the Moon; 6 megw would be required to reach Mars. The respective Earth transmitters would require 200-kw and 600-megw power output. Present remote-control equipment will not meet all the above needs; significant advances must be made before man can venture with confidence into space.