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

[djellison]

I wonder what would happen if the public knew of all the military payloads that carry such things that never make the news in any way what soever

Doug

[dvandorn]

I wonder what would happen if the public knew of all the military payloads that carry such things that never make the news in any way what soever

Doug

Honestly, I think a majority of Americans wouldn't care all that much. It's only a relatively small lunatic fringe here that is swayed by the anti-nuke Chicken Littles.

I may be a little overly optimistic, here, but I think a large majority of the general public understands that the risks of disaster are relatively tiny.

-the other Doug