New Horizons: Pre-launch, launch and main cruise, Pluto and the Kuiper belt Options

[cIclops]

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

[cIclops]

The RTG and the necessary fuel are both in good shape.  Previous problems resolved.
All needed fuel is now ready. We expect 190 W or a tad more at Pluto in mid-2015.
The s/c requires ~165W, so there is a healthy margin. The launch approval process
has begun, and will take the remainder of the year to complete.

Welcome to our humble forum Alan, pull up a keyboard and make yourself comfortable

What great news, NH is all gassed up and raring to go! I've got so many questions I hardly know where to start.

Okay how about with these two:

Given the 190+tad Watts at Pluto, how far out will that take NH?

Does NH have a really minimal power mode that will allow very low data rates (seconds per bit perhaps) for super extended missions?

Certificate No. 1125

324 days to launch window