The next phase of the Internet will take us to far reaches of our solar system, and lay the groundwork for a communications system for a manned missions to Mars and planets beyond.
If we ever want to find out more about other planets, we will need a better communication system for future space missions.
As you move farther out into space, however, there is a delay of minutes or hours because light has to travel millions of miles, instead of thousands of miles, between transmitter and receiver.
Line of sight obstruction -- Anything that blocks the space between the signal transmitter and receiver can interrupt communication.
Scientists, engineers and programmers are already working to develop an interplanetary Internet that will connect us to probes and human space travelers, and allow more information to be sent back to Earth.
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Introduction to How an Interplanetary Internet Will Work
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clipped from: computer.howstuffworks.com