4 Mars exploration equipment

Two self-propelled robots and spacecraft flying around Mars will only work moderately in April due to the sun entering between the red planet and the earth.

>>>Robots on Mars paralyzed because of computer problems

A Curiosity photo taken by its cameras. (Photo: NASA)

Earth, sun and Mars will line up in April, with the sun in the middle. So, if we look at the Earth in April, we won't see Mars being "hidden" by the red planet behind the sun.

Radio communication will become extremely difficult when the sun blocks between the two planets. Data that devices on Mars sent, such as photos, may be delayed. In addition, it is possible that the control signal from the earth will not be able to reach Mars devices. Therefore, the US Aeronautics Agency (NASA) will not send orders to devices on Mars in April.

Currently 4 American devices are exploring Mars. They include two self-propelled robots (Curiosity and Opportunity) and two spacecraft flying in orbit (Odyssey Mars Reconnaissance and Orbiter). Due to the sun blocking between Mars and the globe, Curiosity will not be able to send data. The robot will stop moving during April and only collect weather and environmental information. After every certain time, the robot will send a "beep" to the control center, the BBC reports.

"It's a very simple signal for us to know that Curiosity is fine, or at least it's not a problem , " said Jim Erickson, deputy director of NASA's Curiosity project.

Like Curiosity, Opportunity will also stop moving and only perform a few simple activities.

The Odyssey spacecraft can send some data, but the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will only store Curiosity information during April.

The phenomenon of Mars, the sun and the earth aligns in a period of about 26 months.