Title: "Pigeon Post" as Alternative for Radio Link in Space Mission Information Delivery
Abstract: It is well known that for the most of space missions one of the strongest constraints is the rate of information transfer from the spacecraft onboard instruments to the ground station.This parameter becomes critical for the tasks, connected with planetary explorations.For example to deliver the information to be collected during planetary mapping missions with high resolution one needs to keep telemetry bit rate at the level on the limit of technical feasibility or beyond.It is true for exploration of such planets as Mars, Venus or Mercury and it is much more difficult task for big distant planets as Jupiter.In the paper the alternative method of space missions information delivery is discussed.It is proposed to collect information in some solid memory device installed onboard spacecraft and then to send it to the Earth using very small spacecraft.This spacecraft may carry some returnable capsule to enter atmosphere or transmit collected information trough radio link when reaching short enough distances from the Earth.