Relay Satellite

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A Relay Satellite is a Probe orbiting a Celestial body that serves the function of creating a Relay Network.

Uses

Relay Satellites are used to communicate with the Kerbal Space Center without the need for a direct connection to it. Without a connection to the KSC, an unmanned spacecraft will either not be able to function, or will be in limited probe control, depending on your settings for the game. (A spacecraft consisting of a pilot would not be affected.) With the fact that each antennas have limited range, this makes relay satellites a necessity for almost every interplanetary mission[citation needed]. Relay Satellites give the function for other Probes to stay connected to the Kerbal Space Center without having the requirement to be in the line of Kerbin, or the range.

Design

A relay satellite must have at least one relay-capable antenna and sufficient electricity to operate it. It must be placed where it has a connection to the rest of the CommNet network, either it being a ground station on Kerbin or another Relay satellite. However, no matter how much the distance between the sattelites, the transmission will ultimately end up at Kerbin, or else the transmission will not be established at all.

Gallery

Massive Relay Network.gif
A massive relay network covering Kerbin, all working together.