New Horizons: Pre-launch, launch and main cruise, Pluto and the Kuiper belt |
New Horizons: Pre-launch, launch and main cruise, Pluto and the Kuiper belt |
Feb 8 2005, 02:09 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 133 Joined: 29-January 05 Member No.: 161 |
Yes it's happening after all these years, the mission to the last planet!
And maybe to celebrate the confirmation of budget, NASA approval preparations and the fueling of the RTG (radioisotope thermoelectric generator), there is an updated web site at http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/ Launch will be January 2006 with arrival at the Pluto Charon system July 2015 (mark your calender!) and then on through the Kuiper belt during 2016-2020 and beyond. 20.8-centimeter telescope for 100m resolution at closest approach IR/UV spectrometers 2 x 8GB data recorders data rate: 768 bps (sic) to 70m DSN 465kg including fuel $650m 336 days to launch -------------------- |
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Nov 15 2005, 04:14 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 509 Joined: 2-July 05 From: Calgary, Alberta Member No.: 426 |
Okay, that's funny... but he's right, guys. The reason this forum is so good is that it has been kept as a science forum instead of a speculation forum. If we start getting away from that, we will start losing some of the scientists who like to post here. IMHO, this type of thing really is best nipped in the bud.
One place you might want to check out is the subforum titled "Community Chit Chat" that appears near the bottom of the main Unmanned Spaceflight page. If you really want to chat about speculative stuff, that might be a good place to do it. (I'm suggesting this because, although I'd really like to see this forum retain its quality, I don't much relish the idea of telling people to shut up -- that really isn't a very effective way of encouraging people's interest in science.) |
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Nov 17 2005, 03:40 AM
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#3
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 87 Joined: 19-June 05 Member No.: 415 |
Weeky NASA update on expendable launchers
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/launch...ets/status/2005 Mission: New Horizons Launch Vehicle: Lockheed Martin Atlas V 551 (AV-010) Launch Pad: Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Launch Date: Jan. 11, 2006 Launch Window: 2:08 to 4:07 p.m. EST The bottom portion of the payload fairing was installed this week on the Atlas V. A Launch Vehicle Readiness Review was successfully completed Tuesday. The fit check of the Radioisotope Thermo-electric Generator power system with the spacecraft was performed last week. The generator will be installed for flight at the launch pad. A "dry" spin balance test of the spacecraft will be completed this week. After Thanksgiving, hydrazine fuel for attitude control and course-correction maneuvers will be loaded on the spacecraft and a "wet" spin balance test performed. |
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Nov 17 2005, 03:48 AM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 183 Joined: 22-October 05 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Member No.: 534 |
The past few days neither the real or mockup RTG was installed. It looks (on the web feeds) like a cylindrical aluminum fitting similar in size, but it's hard to tell details. Does anyone know what that is? Perhaps just ballast to keep it balanced.
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Nov 17 2005, 10:45 AM
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 529 Joined: 19-February 05 Member No.: 173 |
QUOTE (BPCooper @ Nov 17 2005, 03:48 AM) The past few days neither the real or mockup RTG was installed. It looks (on the web feeds) like a cylindrical aluminum fitting similar in size, but it's hard to tell details. Does anyone know what that is? Perhaps just ballast to keep it balanced. Good question, here's the scoop: That's the mass model that simulates the mass and moments of inertia of the RTG. It doesn't look as much like the real deal as the black thermal/electrical simulator does, but it is what you want to have on for spin balance. -Alan Stern |
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Nov 17 2005, 01:51 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 183 Joined: 22-October 05 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Member No.: 534 |
QUOTE (Alan Stern @ Nov 17 2005, 06:45 AM) Good question, here's the scoop: That's the mass model that simulates the mass and moments of inertia of the RTG. It doesn't look as much like the real deal as the black thermal/electrical simulator does, but it is what you want to have on for spin balance. -Alan Stern Interesting, thanks. Is that simulated RTG not useful for spin balance testing? And was that simulator an active heat and electrical generating system minus the Pu? -------------------- |
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Nov 17 2005, 01:55 PM
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#7
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Member Group: Members Posts: 529 Joined: 19-February 05 Member No.: 173 |
QUOTE (BPCooper @ Nov 17 2005, 01:51 PM) Interesting, thanks. Is that simulated RTG not useful for spin balance testing? And was that simulator an active heat and electrical generating system minus the Pu? The thermal/electrical simulator has no radioactive material. It doesn't match the mass properties at all. -Alan Stern |
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Nov 17 2005, 04:58 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 183 Joined: 22-October 05 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Member No.: 534 |
QUOTE (Alan Stern @ Nov 17 2005, 09:55 AM) The thermal/electrical simulator has no radioactive material. It doesn't match the mass properties at all. Despite not having the Pu, as I know, I would have figured it was designed to have the same mass/weight while still providing power using electricity. -------------------- |
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Nov 20 2005, 07:32 PM
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 87 Joined: 19-June 05 Member No.: 415 |
QUOTE (BPCooper @ Nov 17 2005, 10:58 AM) Despite not having the Pu, as I know, I would have figured it was designed to have the same mass/weight while still providing power using electricity. If you need to confirm what Alan says, look at the image from BPCoooper in http://www.unmannedspaceflight.com/index.p...=27817&st=285 You will see the dummy RTG on the floor during the spin test. The blur of the RTG mass simulator is metalic gray, without heat fins. Obviously a completely different piece of hardware. Perhaps trying to get the power, mass, CG, and all other parameters equal to the real RTG was more complex than just building two simpler devices, one for temporary power, one for the spin tests. |
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