New Horizons I (and II!) Mission Update Thread

MeteorWayne · Aug 28, 2006

Who cares? It is mission to explore Pluto, Charon, and the kids. Whether it is a planet or, as I believe, one of the largest members of plutino population of the KBO/TNO's makes no difference whatsoever. The mission is to learn more about this and other objects out there. Nothing in the scientific objective has changed. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

brandbll · Aug 28, 2006

It's swinging by Jupiter, so yes it's still a "planetary" mission. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> You wanna talk some jive? I'll talk some jive. I'll talk some jive like you've never heard! </div>

mithridates · Sep 1, 2006

This is exciting, imaging of Jupiter is going to start in two days: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=21918 "LORRI is a panchromatic high-magnification imager, consisting of a telescope with an 8.2-inch (20.8-centimeter) aperture that focuses visible light onto a charge-coupled device (CCD). It's essentially a digital camera with a large telephoto telescope, only fortified to operate in the cold, hostile environs near Pluto. LORRI has no color filters or moving parts; operators take images by pointing the LORRI side of the spacecraft at their target. The instrument's silicon carbide construction kept its mirror focused even after the its temperature plunged by more than 120 degrees F (50 degrees C) once the door opened. LORRI is now approximately at the same temperature it will be when takes close-up images of Pluto nine years from now. Before then LORRI will focus on the Jupiter system, taking its first pictures of the giant planet on Sept. 4. Next Feb. 28 the spacecraft will pass within 1.4 million miles (2.27 million kilometers) of Jupiter, getting a gravity assist toward Pluto and training its instruments on Jupiter and several jovian moons. While there, LORRI will study many aspects of Jupiter, including the planet's weather and aurora, its rings, and its fascinating satellite system. " <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ----- http://mithridates.blogspot.com </div>

jmilsom · Sep 1, 2006

Yes. The excitement is building. Here is an enlargement of the first image taken by LORRI on the mission site: Messier 7 as well as the mission site release, which is similar to the Spaceref article. Mission elapsed time: Days 225 Hours 06 Minutes 23 Jupiter closest approach Days 179 Hours 04 Minutes 17 Pluto closest approach!!!! Days 3237 Hours 10 Minutes 35/safety_wrapper> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

mithridates · Sep 1, 2006

Since I haven't been paying all that much attention to the thread until now this question might be redundant, but what sort of results do we expect to obtain that are more significant than what Galileo has already provided us? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ----- http://mithridates.blogspot.com </div>

jmilsom · Sep 2, 2006

Hi Mithridates. Each time a craft visits these systems, we learn a lot more, but, of course, end up with more questions than we started with! A very detailed presentation of the Jupiter science expected from NH1, prepared by John Spencer, Jeff Moore, Debi Rose and the NH Jupiter Science has been postedon the SwRI web site: HERE The presentation they have posted also includes simulations of the best images expected during the flyby. It is just a flyby, but it should add to body of knowledge we gained from Galileo and the Cassini flyby. Mission elapsed time: Days 225 Hours 13 Minutes 01 Jupiter closest approach Days 178 Hours 21 Minutes 38 Pluto closest approach!!!! Days 3237 Hours 03 Minutes 56/safety_wrapper> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

Boris_Badenov · Sep 2, 2006

What day & date does the Jupiter flyby begin? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div> </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 2, 2006

Good question, Boris! There's nothing on the New Horizons home page about it. NASA New Horizons <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

jmilsom · Sep 3, 2006

Hi. Check out the link above again. It is a complete detailed overview of the Jupiter science mission. Hold on, I'll type it out fully. It is a pdf file: http://www.boulder.swri.edu/~spencer/nhjupitersupport/nhjupiterscience.pdf A description of daily activites during the Jupiter observation phase starts on page 31 of the presentation. The first observations, which will be to the auroral response to the magnetosphere of Jupiter, will commence on 7 January 2007. The final observations will be completing irregular satellite (Himalia and Elara) phase coverage, and will conclude on 3 March 2007. It is a beautiful presentation they have put together. The observation categories for Jupiter science are listed on page 8. Detailed slides of the exact science planned under each of these categories then follows. <ul type="square"><li> Jupiter's Atmosphere<li> Io<li> Icy Galilean Satellites<li> Magnetosphere<li> Rings<li> Small Satellites<li> Scenery (i.e. Kodak moments!) </li></li></li></li></li></li></li></ul> It is quite exciting. They have developed an elegant plan to get as much scientific return possible within a range of constraints (i.e. instrument calibration for Pluto takes priority over Jupiter science etc). Mission elapsed time: Days 227 Hours 04 Minutes 39 Jupiter closest approach Days 177 Hours 06 Minutes 00 Pluto closest approach!!!! Days 3235 Hours 12 Minutes 18/safety_wrapper> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Sep 4, 2006

It was there, just took me a while to drill down to the Jupiter section. Now it's bookmarked. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Very nice pdf presentation. Thanks again Wayne <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Sep 5, 2006

Hi all. It was me that was able to convince Alan Sterne (& the New Horizons team) to carry out the extended Io observations. I put up a very strong case for the extended Io observations, during the New Horizons encounter, particularly the global Jupiter facing hemisphere, (well imaged by Voyager 1, but poorly seen by Galileo, which concentrated on the side facing away from Jupiter, so about 25 years difference). So I think that this is my first success in having an affect on policy. I will continue my attempts at getting a dedicated Io orbiter / lander mission to Io. So in a funny way, I have a bit of a glow today after reading the presentation (which is good, seeing as I have been rather unwell lately). I like the Kodak moments, fascinating & beautiful imagery indeed, particularly with Ganymede posing in front of Jupiter, & the Ganymede, Callisto, Jupiter portrait. What wonderful images they will be (I had no part in this however). Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

jmilsom · Sep 5, 2006

That's fantastic. Congratulations Andrew. I have really been impressed with the way the NH team have been so open to suggestions from all interested parties in formulating the mission. It must really be a great feeling for you to know you've influenced the mission and some new science will result from it. I was quite impressed with the work the user hendric did on unmannedspaceflight.com to calculate Kodak moments for the team as well. This is going to be a very interesting flyby. Can't wait! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

alokmohan · Sep 5, 2006

Kodak moment?

3488 · Sep 6, 2006

Hi alokmohan, Kodak moments refer to opportunities to obtain unusual, spectacular & beautiful images, such as the image planned with Ganymede in front of Jupiter & the crescent Callisto, Ganymede & Jupiter images. These images may not be that scientifically important (not sure that is necessarily true however), but will give the papers & the media something special & unusual to print & report on. Below are Kodak moments from the Cassini encounter with Jupiter. Images taken in January 2001. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA02879 http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA03451 I hope you like these. I certainly do. Hi jmilsom, Yes it was an unexpected major triumph on my part & hopefully I have contributed in some useful small way to the exploration of the Solar System. Hi to all of SDC, Regarding my ear bending about Io. I remeber trying to convince NASA / JPL back in November 2002, to image Io during Io encounter I33, when Galileo passed in front of the Jupiter facing hemisphere, just prior to the A34 encounter (also tried to convince NASA / JPL to image Amalthea at close range). I33 would have provided the only high resolution images of the Jupiter facing hemisphere of Io during the Galileo mission. They refused on the grounds of expense & that Galileo might go into Safing. However Galileo did not go into Safing at the best moments for either Io or Amalthea, but only went into safing NINE HOURS AFTER the Amalthea encounter, when all images would have been safely stored onboard. This would have been the first time since Voyager 1 that we would have had decent images of the Jupiter facing hemisphere of Io. I am pleased that the New Horizons team have ta <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

jmilsom · Sep 6, 2006

Could I ask SDC members to support me if necessary in getting an Io mission approved?? Are you lobbying then for a completely new mission? Are there any other missions being planned to Jupiter in the near future? Isn't Europa on the cards? I agree with you, Io is an amazing moon. To get full coverage of the Jupiter-facing hemisphere is &^%&$% exciting! I think it is time we had Cassini-like probes humming around all the gas giants. The proposed NH2 mission would do a Uranus flyby as I understand it. I wonder if it is technicaly feasible now to send a probe and after it has settled into orbit, detach smaller moon orbiter / imagers? Mission elapsed time: Days 229 Hours 17 Minutes 34 Jupiter closest approach Days 174 Hours 17 Minutes 06 Pluto closest approach!!!! Days 3232 Hours 23 Minutes 23/safety_wrapper> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

3488 · Sep 6, 2006

Hi jmilson, Yes I am advocating a completely dedicated mission. It would indeed be possible to despatch a smaller craft to orbit & land on one of the moons. Yes, the proposed Europa mission must happen also, perhaps a conbi Io / Europa mission, with close Ganymede & Callisto encounters thrown in as the craft settles into a Jovicentric orbit, prior to Europa & Io. The reason for why I am gunning for Io, is that Io is going to be the elephant in the hall way, big & impoortant, but ignored. Europa will get all the attention for the wrong reasons (such as searching for life where none actually exists IMO, like Mars really, research based on wishes, not facts). Io perhaps along with Venus (not Titan, a different type of object altogether, although Titan's atmosphere MAY be somewhat similar, but not Titan itself) are the closest objects that we have to the primordial Earth, volcanically driven geology. Also Io changes as often as most people change their underwear, like the appearance of Io beween April & Sptember 1997. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00744 http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA02501 http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00318 http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA01362 I will start a new thread when I have time to compose my mission proposal. I will post my current work, already forwarded to NASA, when I have time. Unfortunately New Horizons 2 is not happening, due to funding & the lack of readily avaliable Plutonium for the RTG ( a shame really as that would have gone past Jupiter, Uranus & <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

jmilsom · Sep 21, 2006

Latest PI Perspective now on NH1 site. Interesting point related to the Jupiter discussion above: The New Horizons Jupiter science observations will begin in early January and stretch into late June, almost four months after we pass Jupiter. This approximately 150-day encounter will mimic our Pluto encounter in length, data volume returned, and operational intensity. All of this, of course, is designed to prove out our planning tools, our simulation capabilities, our spacecraft and our instrument sensors in a real-world encounter environment well before we have to begin planning for the Pluto encounter. Thirty test and calibrations have taken place. There have been a few glitches including a tiny solar light leak in Ralph's LEISA infrared spectrometer. There is also a competition ongoing at the Planetary Society in which you could win a trip to APL to witness the Jupiter flyby (I will be entering!). Mission elapsed time: Days 245 Hours 04 Minutes 30 Jupiter closest approach Days 159 Hours 06 Minutes 10 Pluto closest approach!!!! Days 3217 Hours 12 Minutes 28/safety_wrapper> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

jmilsom · Sep 26, 2006

This is exciting. The first image of Jupiter taken by the Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) has been released. IMAGE STORY Mission elapsed time: Days 250 Hours 03 Minutes 40 Jupiter closest approach Days 154 Hours 07 Minutes 00 Pluto closest approach!!!! Days 3212 Hours 13 Minutes 18/safety_wrapper> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

jmilsom · Sep 26, 2006

Here is the image: Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

alokmohan · Sep 28, 2006

The space craft to dwarf planet pluto takes snap of jupiter.

jmilsom · Oct 5, 2006

I was greatly impressed with an interview given by Dr. Alan Stern and posted on FreeSpace last night. Here is the thread: LINK which in turn has a link to a site called quantumlimit.com In it Alan Stern gives an elegant dissection of the recent IAU decision on the definition of 'planet' Mission elapsed time: Days 259 Hours 04 Minutes 59 Jupiter closest approach Days 145 Hours 05 Minutes 41 Pluto closest approach!!!! Days 3203 Hours 11 Minutes 59/safety_wrapper> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

mikeemmert · Oct 13, 2006

Hi, Andrew <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> : I saw this a few days ago, but I had to cram for a math test. I would certainly like to see a New Horizons II. But really, the way to do that is to get Congress and your Parliament and maybe other countries to pony up the money. I guess we must be out of plutonium (?!?). Maybe we could get some from the North Koreans <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /> . I tried in Free Space to interest people in talking about what I call, "international enrichment". Nobody was interested in posting on such a thread. A couple of these efforts were around the time of the Russian proposal to Iran. Basically, the idea is to set up international corporations with many countries investing in a common source of enriched uranium or plutonium (yes I do know the difference between Pu-238 and Pu-239 but for Free Space purposes this was minor. More relevant here, though). A New Horizons would do a lot more good if it were redesigned from the ground up. This would include a new powerplant to feed one of the newly developed and extremely exciting electric propulsion systems, like for instance a four grid ion drive (developed in Australia) or a VASIMIR engine (probably better for other missions). The trick for New Horizons II would be to sample each of several different classes of KBO's. We have already sent a probe to a plutino (New Horizons I to Pluto) and several other classes of object need to be examined, low inclination cubewanos, high inclination cubewanos, twotinos, and especially scattered disc objects. Such a mission would require enormous delta v only available with a fissioning reactor. I see some discussion here about the post-Pluto flyby phase of the flight. It's too early to do detailed planning for that. We will have to make do with what we have as far as flight trajectories. There's not much fuel and the gravitational deflection of New Horizon's speedy trajectory c

comga · Oct 23, 2006

Bob Shaw Sep 5 2005 .... the Pluto encounter geometry itself offers the greatest single opportunity to change the trajectory. The Pluto encounter geometry is fixed by the goal of flying through the Sun and Earth "shadows" of Pluto and Charon for occultation science (with REX and ALICE). Therefore, the gravity of Pluto will not be used to direct the trajectory to any KBO. The good news, alluded to earlier, and mentioned by Alan in his public presentations, is the amazing precision of the Atlas 5 stack means that most of the delta-V reserved for targeting Pluto can be saved for targeting to one or two KBOs after Pluto-Charon. I don't recall the numbers but they were substantial. This will do something like double the addressable volume of space from which to pick a target, when compared to the mission baseline. They have picked up so much reserve that a trim maneuver if being postponed from before the Jupiter encounter to afterwards. The small loss of efficiency, and increase in needed delta-V, is affordable. This helps the team declutter the pre-Jovian encounter, which Alan says has required the operations team to work seven days a week.

jmilsom · Nov 2, 2006

Latest PIs Perspective on the NH1 site. Highlights preparations for the Jupiter flyby. They have had to cut back on some of the planned observations due to the limited size of the team and budget constraints, but will still be able to do most of the core observations - starting 1 January 2007. Also there will be a solar conjunction blackout from November 19 to 27. In it Alan Stern also lists some of the Pluto science highlights from the mid-October Division of Planetary Science (DPS) meeting, which took place in Pasadena, California. These are: <ul type="square"><li> The spectroscopic discovery of ethane (C2H6) on Pluto's surface, presented by Dale Cruikshank of NASA/Ames Research Center (a New Horizons co-investigator) and colleagues. This ethane is produced from the photolysis or radiolysis (i.e., the chemical conversion driven by sunlight and charged particles) of frozen methane (CH4) on Pluto's surface and suspended in its atmosphere. Ethane on Pluto has long been predicted, but no one had actually detected it before. <li>A series of talks by various workers from MIT, SwRI, Lowell Observatory, and Williams College in the U.S., and from France, reporting the results of the June 12 occultation of a star by Pluto, giving us a new opportunity to probe Pluto's atmosphere. Among the findings that have emerged from that event were that Pluto's atmosphere remains at the higher pressure levels seen in 2002, with no sign of cooling or collapse just yet. However, an increasing amount of turbulence is being seen in Pluto's atmosphere. What that means isn't clear. A series of future stellar occultations will occur over the next five years, giving us a quasi-continuous capability to track Pluto's atmospheric evolution during most of the flight of New Horizons. This will help keep us from being overly surprised about its atmospheric state when we arrive.</li></li></ul> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

MeteorWayne · Nov 3, 2006

Thanx for the update and bump! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

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