reply to post by satellite1
I think I see what you mean. The answer is yes and no.
First, consider that the "message" you're sending is actually a small object with mass and v < c. The time dilation will only be perceived by a
possible clock traveling with the object, on its own reference frame.
On our reference, the time taken for the "message" to reach Mars, in this case, will be the normal t = v / distance. So, for us, it would not make
any difference.
For light, if you apply the equations, you can see that on the light's reference, the time dilation would increase infinitely. So, it does not make
much sense to consider the "light's reference". For all the references other than the light's one, including our own and the craft on Mars, light
always travel at the velocity c. So the time it takes for a eletromagnetic signal to reach Mars is just t = c / distance. No correction or time travel
is involved.
So, my answer is 'yes': relativity affects everything, but 'no', since it does not make sense to consider the "light's own reference", light
travels at a constant velocity c no matter what.
All this talk is not only theory: it has been measured and verified. But obviously physical interpretation of the results is always up to debate.
