•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