Nh - The Launch Thread, Godspeed little one |
Nh - The Launch Thread, Godspeed little one |
 Jan 16 2006, 03:08 PM
Post
#1
|
|
|
Founder  Group: Chairman Posts: 14432 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1  |
I thought it was time, with the Atlas V about to roll out - for a new thread for NH for the launch etc.
Someone asked over at the HZ just how NH can go so fast, this was my reply.... QUOTE How do you get a spacecraft to Jupiter in under a year? Easy. Make it very very light, and put it on a very very big rocket. The config of Atlas V rocket being used to launch NH (551 - 5m fairing, 5 solids, and one engine on the Centaur stage ) would typically put 8,670kg into GTO or 20,520 into LEO. New Horizons is 478kg, and it's Star 48B 3rd stage is 2,137kg - so instead of hauling 20 tons, this vehicle is hauling about 2.5 tons thus you get a HUGE velocity out of it. AND, once it's done that, you have the final kick of the 48B, 591 thousand kgs-s (thus accelerating is all a further 3.5 - 4km/s ball park speed, if my maths is right) At launch - the vehicle is 573,160kg. NH is 0.083% of it. Imagine the Apollo entry capsule on top of a Saturn V...tiny tiny tiny... that was 5,800 kg on a 3,038,500kg rocket - 0.191% - more than double that percentage of NH. The cutaway's are almost comical, with this tiny gold-clad box on an enormous vehicle. Basically - it's a LOT of rocket, and not a lot of payload. For comparison, look how much fuss was made of Stardust that entered so quickly. It took >16 hrs to get from the distance of the moon to Utah. NH makes that journey in 9 hours  One thing the NH mission is not short of, is superlatives. I'm not one for good luck charms (although I'll eat peanuts during a Martian EDL with the best of them), but this mission has been so long in coming, that it deserves every ounce of luck it can have - the best, most accurate launch possible, the cleanest checkout, and incident free cruise to Jupiter. Goodluck and Godspeed little one, we're with you every step of the way. Doug PS - Alan, you're a credit to your field, spending so much time answering questions and writing the PI Perspectives, it's been a hell of a journey! |
 |
 
|
 |
|
Jan 17 2006, 02:44 PM
Post
#46
|
|
 Member Group: Members Posts: 648 Joined: 9-May 05 From: Subotica Member No.: 384 |
QUOTE (ugordan @ Jan 17 2006, 05:26 PM) What exactly are the launch constraints concerning the wind speed?  The Atlas 5's wind limit at launch is 33 knots...that's approx. 61 km/h. 1knot=1.852 kilometers per hour -------------------- The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful.
Jules H. Poincare My "Astrophotos" gallery on flickr... |
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 02:46 PM
Post
#47
|
|
 Member Group: Members Posts: 540 Joined: 25-October 05 From: California Member No.: 535 |
QUOTE (Toma B @ Jan 17 2006, 07:44 AM) The Atlas 5's wind limit at launch is 33 knots...that's approx. 61 km/h. 1knot=1.852 kilometers per hour Err, what's that in miles? 
-------------------- 2011 JPL Tweetup photos: http://www.rich-parno.com/aa_jpltweetup.html
http://human-spaceflight.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 02:49 PM
Post
#48
|
|
|
Founder Group: Chairman Posts: 14432 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 02:50 PM
Post
#49
|
|
 Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 3648 Joined: 1-October 05 From: Croatia Member No.: 523 |
QUOTE (punkboi @ Jan 17 2006, 03:46 PM) Err, what's that in miles? It's sad enough you still stick with the imperial system, expecting someone else will convert the figures for you is just rude!
-------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 02:52 PM
Post
#50
|
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 3648 Joined: 1-October 05 From: Croatia Member No.: 523 |
QUOTE (djellison @ Jan 17 2006, 03:49 PM) Google is quite powerfull Yeah, but Atlas V 551 is even more so! 
-------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 02:53 PM
Post
#51
|
|
 Member Group: Members Posts: 255 Joined: 4-January 05 Member No.: 135 |
I may or may not be able to watch the launch live (depends on work pressures), but I would just like to add my sincerest wishes for a successful launch.
Good luck! Chris |
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 02:57 PM
Post
#52
|
||||
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 648 Joined: 9-May 05 From: Subotica Member No.: 384 |
There is some obvious weather change today at KSC...
Look at these webcam images...
-------------------- The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful.
Jules H. Poincare My "Astrophotos" gallery on flickr... |
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
Jan 17 2006, 02:59 PM
Post
#53
|
|
 Member Group: Members Posts: 510 Joined: 17-March 05 From: Southeast Michigan Member No.: 209 |
QUOTE (djellison @ Jan 17 2006, 09:49 AM) Google is quite powerfull Wow - even furlongs per fortnight I'm impressed 
-------------------- --O'Dave
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 02:59 PM
Post
#54
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 648 Joined: 9-May 05 From: Subotica Member No.: 384 |
Spaceflightnow.com
1445 GMT (9:45 a.m. EST) NASA is not reporting any technical issues as the countdown continues. Thats god news!!! -------------------- The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful.
Jules H. Poincare My "Astrophotos" gallery on flickr... |
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 03:00 PM
Post
#55
|
|
|
Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 86 Joined: 12-October 05 From: Beijing Member No.: 526 |
Who knows any NASA TV mirrors, I can only get 34Kbps live real streaming and the Yahoo! mirror doesn't work on my Mac.
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 03:08 PM
Post
#56
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 255 Joined: 4-January 05 Member No.: 135 |
QUOTE (yaohua2000 @ Jan 17 2006, 03:00 PM) Who knows any NASA TV mirrors, I can only get 34Kbps live real streaming and the Yahoo! mirror doesn't work on my Mac. I am using the realplayer link from here on my Mac, and it works fine. (And yes, I use a Mac at work. Lucky me  ) Chris |
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 03:11 PM
Post
#57
|
|
 Newbie Group: Members Posts: 12 Joined: 20-April 05 From: Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina Member No.: 304 |
I'm following Mike Griffin's New Horizons Press Briefing on NASA TV, and EVERY DAMN QUESTION has to do with the Space Shuttle... do journalists realize how stupid they sound not asking a single question about the real reason that briefing was called??
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 03:12 PM
Post
#58
|
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 3648 Joined: 1-October 05 From: Croatia Member No.: 523 |
QUOTE (yaohua2000 @ Jan 17 2006, 04:00 PM) Who knows any NASA TV mirrors, I can only get 34Kbps live real streaming and the Yahoo! mirror doesn't work on my Mac. Check to see if your connection speed is set correctly in Real Player. It's been a while since I've used RP, but there ought to be a setting on whether you're broadband or 56k dialup. The latter won't give you more than 48 kbps, imho, even if your connection is capable. Speaking of live streams, is there a way to record the feed to your computer on the fly? I've had success with on-demand webcasts, but no luck with live feeds. I'd really like a copy of the launch webcast as I don't want to depend on the NH site posting an archived and shortened launch feed... -------------------- |
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 03:32 PM
Post
#59
|
|
|
Founder Group: Chairman Posts: 14432 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 |
QUOTE (AstronomíaOnline.com @ Jan 17 2006, 03:11 PM) I'm following Mike Griffin's New Horizons Press Briefing on NASA TV, and EVERY DAMN QUESTION has to do with the Space Shuttle... do journalists realize how stupid they sound not asking a single question about the real reason that briefing was called?? Kudos to Bill Hardwood who said "I'm going to ask a question about New Horizons seing as no one else has" Doug |
|
|
|
|
Jan 17 2006, 03:33 PM
Post
#60
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 648 Joined: 9-May 05 From: Subotica Member No.: 384 |
When will they start pumping LOX and LH into rocket?
-------------------- The scientist does not study nature because it is useful; he studies it because he delights in it, and he delights in it because it is beautiful.
Jules H. Poincare My "Astrophotos" gallery on flickr... |
|
|
|
 |
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 13th May 2024 - 07:37 PM |
|
RULES AND GUIDELINES Please read the Forum Rules and Guidelines before posting. IMAGE COPYRIGHT |
OPINIONS AND MODERATION Opinions expressed on UnmannedSpaceflight.com are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of UnmannedSpaceflight.com or The Planetary Society. The all-volunteer UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderation team is wholly independent of The Planetary Society. The Planetary Society has no influence over decisions made by the UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderators. |
SUPPORT THE FORUM Unmannedspaceflight.com is funded by the Planetary Society. Please consider supporting our work and many other projects by donating to the Society or becoming a member. |
|
