Why don't we have satelite mapping of other planets like we do on Earth?

Answer 1

We have several satellites in orbit about Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. All of them, where mapping is possible, are doing just that. The maps we have of Mars are quite accurate and highly detailed. Mapping of the surface of Venus is likewise accurate and fairly well detailed, though we have a long way to go there. Mapping of Jupiter and Saturn is not a productive venture since we would be mapping a dynamic atmosphere and nothing more.

We are currently in the process of determining the next landing site on Mars and to do that we needed good maps and hi-resolution images. We have those, and they cover the entire surface of the planet.

J.

http://www.jrichardjacobs.net

"The speed of the brain is inversely proportional to the speed of the mouth squared."

Answer 2

Mapping of other planets and moons of other planets (and our own) have been carried out by various space probes. However, certain of these only were able to map a limited area of the objects they encountered. The large planets have not been mapped since they really have no defined surfaces.

Answer 3

Because there has to be satelites surrounding the other planets for a start.
What's the point of showing images of a dead useless planet that can't support life?
Nothing within travelling range supports life in our solar system that we know of as yet.
Satelites aren't spaceships that can go where they like they have to go with the rotation of each individual planet.

Answer 4

Really?
We have limited mapping of Mars and the moon.
To obtain mapping like google earth you need to fly a plane over the target area. To do this you need to have a plane on the planet you would like to map.
I dont think there are to many airports on other planets but I do wonder if thats where my luggage ends up.

Answer 5

because we dont have anywhere near enough satellites around any of the planets to map them, heck we haven't even fully mapped the moon!

btw you need more than 1 or even 5 satellites to map a planet.

Answer 6

We do, for Mars, Venus, and the Moon. The satellite maps of Mars are as good as those of Earth:
http://mola.gsfc.nasa.gov/landingsites.html

Answer 7

We do have mappings of other planets but they are not as detailed as these of Earth.

You need satellites to send to planets. They cost a lot, not just to build but also to maintain. And when they have arrived at one, you don't just take a few pictures and that's it. You need a lot of pictures and they need to be processed by computers to look realistic.

All of this costs a lot. Why should they do it as detailed as for earth?

Answer 8

We dont yet have satelites orbiting any planets.
Maybe nasa just never thought of doing it,or maybe the potential cost such a pointless excersise would run into billions.

Answer 9

i dont have any deep knowledge in astronomy, but i guess i do know that u need at least 3 satellites within range for GPS to work.....so im guessing in order to map out any planet u also need at least 3 satellites in orbit of that planet....which is quite costly and pointless because on other planets....it's all barren waste lands

Answer 10

those satellites are expensive! Someone has to pay for them.
We could have satellite mapping of other planets in our solar system, to approximately the same resolution.

So - the reasons are cost and interest ( or not enough interest.)