Is it possible to pick up data from, for example the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter with "amature equipment"?
111776
The signal strength from any space missions is very tiny compared to the background radio noise of the universe.  The smallest antenna used by NASA to pickup signals from its missions is 85' in diameter. Even this is often not enough and the antennas are used in arrays to improve signal reception.\n\nIt is highly unlikely that you would be able to pick up any signals from a deep space mission with any amateur equipment.
1168199
There are so many people working at so many different places that have access to the data sent back by the rovers that I don't see any way that NASA or the FED could keep a lid on some 'secret' discovery....plus what motive could they possibly have for keeping something like that secret.... trust me if some geek at the JPL stumbles across a photo of a Martian life form it will probably be posted on the Internet before you could say 'classified'.
604548
goto www.nasa.com/edu
800227
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/photo_gallery/photogallery-earthmoon.html\n\nThis site (above) lists some of the probes/satellites your asking about and shows the pictures they've taken.  Hope this helps!
804830
You really don't need it. But I suggest Google Earth. It is as good as it get.\n\nhttp://www.space.com/top10_alienencounters_debunked.html
389392
Try this site it's really fascinating http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/
526682
I wonder if this is the same as taking core samples of the earth.  They are able to find out about past earth conditions from each layer of the core.
20264
Try http://www.nasa.gov
408322
Probably not quite, however this information has been freely avaliable on the internet for decades, like the Microsoft TerraServer. If someone really wanted to do something, unfortunately I'm sure they would. \nSource(s):\nhttp://terraserver.microsoft.com/...
884015
Try contacting My space customer service and ask.  The would most likely know.
61531
The next mission to Mars is the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The MRO will make high-resolution measurements of the surface from orbit. It will also search for underground water, which may be a home to primitive life.
1185180
Images like that aren't available except to the NSA/CIA + the companies who run the commercial satelites who can sell you the images for a fee: http://www.spaceimaging.com/gallery/
974292
Get a user name\nIt's free\nCan view Sky charts and satelites as well\nRegister your location
400534
http://www.lancasterlabs.com/  try that
1127272
This site has up-to-date release-quality photos (ie. not raw data, just the images that are good enough for a regular person to want to look at) from the Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity):\n\nhttp://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/mer/
511729
http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/ABSTRACTS/GPN-2000-001035.html\nhttp://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_527.html\nhttp://history.nasa.gov/SP-4012/vol3/table4.123.htm\nhttp://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/Programs/intelsat.html\n\nFrom these photos and data, you should be able to make your diagrams.
437174
To some extent yes. But you still have to input some data. It is quite easy, just follow the manual.