Re: Opportunity (Score 1)

Yup, this period is known as 'solar conjunction'. The NASA policy is to cut off communications with the spacecraft when they (Mars, other planets, or spacecraft alone in deep space) are within 6 degrees of the Sun from Earth. This is due to the increased communications errors as the commands are transmitted so close to the Sun. And, once the spacecraft are directly opposite of the sun, there are zero communications. At Mars this lasts nearly a month.