Updates NASA New Horizons Mission Updates

[N_Molson]

My thought was really something more throw away - a small spherical probe, insulated with aerogel, with a battery, a small reaction wheel for orientation, a camera, and a low power radio.

Definitively, just a camera, a spectrometer, a short-range antenna, and a battery to power them for 6 hours or so. Something like the first probes, but miniaturized (and much much lighter). A few kilograms of mass budget, no more. Not sure if a reaction wheel would be the best in this case (those discs must be a bit heavy), maybe cold gas micro thrusters and a very small pressurized tank would do it.

 

[TMac3000]

and/or to become a ringed system. :lol:

Pluto with rings--that would be ultimate revenge against the demoters:thumbup:

 

[boogabooga]

View attachment 13798

Second row down, second column from the right wins the prize, I think.

 

[sorindafabico]

Pluto with rings--that would be ultimate revenge against the demoters:thumbup:

A ring system isn't an exclusive feature of planets.

 

[Unstung]

A ring system isn't an exclusive feature of planets.

Indeed, but the definition of a planet is arbitrary. I personally don't like the first and third criteria, mostly because they can't apply to exoplanets.

Ok OF, now I am a little dissappointed. One of the probably most famous Star Control 2 references, and nobody gets it? And it's even in the context of talks about an alien base on Pluto (well, charon technically, but the link shouldn't be too tough). Oh well, maybe the game is a bit old by now. Let me see what I can dig up for clarification... ah, here we go, the conversation with Captain Fwiffo on Pluto:

Star Control 2 - Captain Fwiffo (part 1) - YouTube

Off-topic, but I wasn't aware of Star Control 2 until your post introduced me to it. There's a free HD version of the game that I downloaded and started playing.

 

[RGClark]

Nah, if we go back, we should aim for orbit.

Hmmm... anyone seen a small nuclear reactor we can use for a power source?

There is the SAFE-400 space nuclear reactor under R & D:

Safe Affordable Fission Emgine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_Affordable_Fission_Engine

Out of 400 kW thermal it produces 100 kW electrical energy. They are expected to have a power to weight ratio of 200 kWe per kilo. After a BOTE, I estimate using a SAFE-400 reactor to power electric propulsion, we can get an orbiter there at a transit time of 3 to 4 years.

However, as far as I know the SAFE reactors have not been tested with actual nuclear material. The testing reports I've seen only discuss simulations where external heat is supplied and they confirm it produces the expected amount of electrical energy.

Bob Clark

 

[K_Jameson]

A side note: i think that the similarities between Pluto and Triton, both in appearance and composition, will never be highlighted enough. Pluto can provide decisive informations in support to the common theory that identifies Triton itself as a KBO object.

 

[TMac3000]

A ring system isn't an exclusive feature of planets.

I know, but come on, Pluto looking as good as Saturn? After all he's been through, the little guy deserves it

 

[boogabooga]

Nix and Hydra, being all non-pixily:

http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/new-horizons-captures-two-of-plutos-smaller-moons

 

[RisingFury]

Just posting the image directly:

The color is enhanced, so it's probably not as red, but still, that's spectacular.

 

[RGClark]

:yes:

Me, all googly eyed ...

http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/nasa-s-new-horizons-finds-second-mountain-range-in-pluto-s-heart

Bob Clark

 

[Andy44]

:yes:

Me, all googly eyed ...

http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/nasa-s-new-horizons-finds-second-mountain-range-in-pluto-s-heart

Bob Clark

What I wouldn't give to be able to put on a suit and go for a nice day hike in those mountains...

 

[Urwumpe]

How high are those mountains?

 

[MaverickSawyer]

How high are those mountains?

They said something about the Appalachians, so about 500-1000 meters?

 

[Sunhillow]

How high are those mountains?

NASA says 1000 m to 1500 m
http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/nasa-s-new-horizons-finds-second-mountain-range-in-pluto-s-heart

 

[Notebook]

http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/n...horizons-pluto-science-update-set-for-july-24

Members of NASA’s New Horizons team will hold a science update at 2 p.m. EDT Friday, July 24, to reveal new images and discuss latest science results from the spacecraft’s historic July 14 flight through the Pluto system.

 

[Cairan]

The farther out we go, the more surprises we get ... Imagine what we'd find on Sedna!

 

[Notebook]

Nice pic from the BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33657447

Flowing ice and a surprising extended haze are among the newest discoveries from NASA’s New Horizons mission, which reveal distant Pluto to be an icy world of wonders.

“We knew that a mission to Pluto would bring some surprises, and now — 10 days after closest approach — we can say that our expectation has been more than surpassed,” said John Grunsfeld, NASA’s associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate. “With flowing ices, exotic surface chemistry, mountain ranges, and vast haze, Pluto is showing a diversity of planetary geology that is truly thrilling."

http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/News-Article.php?page=20150724

 

[Andy44]

There is a place on Pluto called the "Cthulhu Region". How cool is that! The end of the Solar System, where all the Lovecraftian monsters dwell....

And this is awesome. Possibly new desktop image.

 

[Notebook]

Cthulhu Region, not to be messed with, probably close to the Mountains Of..

N.