Nh - The Launch Thread, Godspeed little one |
Nh - The Launch Thread, Godspeed little one |
 Jan 16 2006, 03:08 PM
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#1
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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! |
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Jan 16 2006, 07:08 PM
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 147 Joined: 3-July 04 From: Chicago, IL Member No.: 91 |
QUOTE (Toma B @ Jan 16 2006, 07:02 PM) Awesome pictures! The weather looks perfect for launch. Let's hope it stays this way for the next 24 hours. |
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Jan 16 2006, 07:16 PM
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 648 Joined: 9-May 05 From: Subotica Member No.: 384 |
Am I seeing Carolin Porco (...Cassini...) with New Horizon in background?
I didn't know she's involved...is this her?
-------------------- 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... |
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Jan 16 2006, 07:27 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 128 Joined: 5-May 04 Member No.: 74 |
QUOTE (Toma B @ Jan 16 2006, 07:16 PM) Am I seeing Carolin Porco (...Cassini...) with New Horizon in background? I didn't know she's involved...is this her? I don't know for sure if it's her, but she's one of the imaging scientists on New Horizons, so it's a definite possibility. |
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Jan 16 2006, 07:33 PM
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 510 Joined: 17-March 05 From: Southeast Michigan Member No.: 209 |
QUOTE (imran @ Jan 16 2006, 02:08 PM) Awesome pictures! BPCooper's on the job - nice shots, Ben! -------------------- --O'Dave
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Jan 16 2006, 07:56 PM
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#20
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Member Group: Members Posts: 648 Joined: 9-May 05 From: Subotica Member No.: 384 |
The "go" has been given to the launch team for fueling the Atlas rocket's first stage...
T-22h 26m -------------------- 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... |
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| Guest_Sunspot_* |
Jan 16 2006, 07:59 PM
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Guests |
I'm almost too nervous to watch these launches now. I can't imagine how it must feel when you've spent a good part of your life working on the project, I think i'd be a jibbering wreck
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Jan 16 2006, 08:20 PM
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Founder Group: Chairman Posts: 14432 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 |
That's CP.
Doug |
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Jan 16 2006, 08:21 PM
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#23
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Member Group: Members Posts: 648 Joined: 9-May 05 From: Subotica Member No.: 384 |
-------------------- 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... |
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Jan 16 2006, 08:21 PM
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 540 Joined: 25-October 05 From: California Member No.: 535 |
QUOTE (Sunspot @ Jan 16 2006, 12:59 PM) I'm almost too nervous to watch these launches now. I can't imagine how it must feel when you've spent a good part of your life working on the project, I think i'd be a jibbering wreck  I won't be able to watch the launch anyway...since I'll be at work. 
-------------------- 2011 JPL Tweetup photos: http://www.rich-parno.com/aa_jpltweetup.html
http://human-spaceflight.blogspot.com |
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Jan 16 2006, 08:42 PM
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Junior Member Group: Members Posts: 86 Joined: 12-October 05 From: Beijing Member No.: 526 |
Predict trajectory:
http://iota.jhuapl.edu/nh116.htm Observe New Horizons Jan. 17 - best Asia & Australia |
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Jan 16 2006, 08:50 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 540 Joined: 25-October 05 From: California Member No.: 535 |
"The first stage fuel tank is now about half full. The kerosene is being pumped from a launch pad storage tank into the base of the Atlas 5 rocket."
-------------------- 2011 JPL Tweetup photos: http://www.rich-parno.com/aa_jpltweetup.html
http://human-spaceflight.blogspot.com |
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Jan 16 2006, 10:00 PM
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 Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8783 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
QUOTE (Toma B @ Jan 16 2006, 01:21 PM) SERIOUS stackage there....more power!!!! (grunt, grunt!)  And, since I'll be on an airplane tomorrow at launch time, dammit....GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED, NEW HORIZONS!!!! -------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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Jan 16 2006, 10:16 PM
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#28
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 Member Group: Members Posts: 356 Joined: 12-March 05 Member No.: 190 |
dumb ? time. Why is the first stage copper clad?
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Jan 16 2006, 10:28 PM
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#29
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Founder Group: Chairman Posts: 14432 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 |
I think it just LOOKS like it's copper clad. iirc
Doug |
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Jan 16 2006, 10:45 PM
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#30
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2516 Joined: 13-September 05 Member No.: 497 |
QUOTE (djellison @ Jan 16 2006, 02:28 PM) I think it just LOOKS like it's copper clad. iirc Right. I believe this is the chromate conversion coating (aka "alodine" or "chem-film") on the aluminum structure of the first stage. The white on the Centaur is from the cryogenic insulation. -------------------- Disclaimer: This post is based on public information only. Any opinions are my own.
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