New Horizons I (and II!) Mission Update Thread

[teije]

There is one 4 minute hold coming up. I'm not sure at exactly what time though.

 

[bobw]

I think a 10 minute hold at T-4 minutes. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[teije]

you're right. My bad. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[CalliArcale]

They just said. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> It's a ten-minute hold at T-4 minutes. They have now entered that hold.<br /><br />They're redoing the test of the LOX fill and drain valve. That appears to be the main unknown at this point. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[llivinglarge]

Could the NH1 have used an ion thruster or would the momentum be undesired?

 

[teije]

I blame my computer. Its internal clock is a bit off and 4 minutes holding neatly calculated to a xx:24 launch time.... <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

[bobw]

It sounds like one of the two limit switches indicated closed while the other did not. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

They are now satisfied that the LOX fill and drain valve on the first stage is in good shape, so that's go for launch! Keep crossing those fingers for low winds. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[llivinglarge]

Are we going to hit a bird this time?

 

[robotical]

Although they seem to have delayed the launch until 12:45 (CST). <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[formulaterp]

Launch delayed till 1:45

 

[rfoshaug]

You can see the trees waving a bit in the foreground there, so let's just hope the wind doesn't exceed the limits. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff9900">----------------------------------</font></p><p><font color="#ff9900">My minds have many opinions</font></p> </div>

 

[teije]

New launch time at 1:45 EST (18:45 GMT)<br />They are holding a bit longer due to the winds

 

[CalliArcale]

New update: even so, they have decided to push the time out to 13:45 EST. <br /><br />To livinglarge:<br /><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Could the NH1 have used an ion thruster or would the momentum be undesired?<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />There are two big constraints. One is that ion propulsion to date has always been solar powered. That's not really going to be available for much of New Horizon's cruise. The first year only, pretty much. The RTG will not produce enough power for that, so it would mean adding more RTGs to feed the ion drive. The other constraint is development time. New Horizons will take nine years to get to Pluto, but it was developed in under a year. They couldn't afford any new technology, because of the risk of it taking longer to get the systems working correctly. They had to go with tried and true wherever possible.<br /><br />So the constraints are more down to practicality than anything else. NH2 could well use ion propulsion; it mostly depends on how much time they're given to develop the thing. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[robotical]

Was anyone else having problems with the picture in RealPlayer freezing a few seconds after they switched camera angles? The audio was working properly; I was just having problems with the picture. Switching to Windows Media Player seems to have solved it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[holmec]

launch dedicated to Dan Sarokon....<br /><br />...breazy day...<br /><br />...holding on 4-4 min...watching the weather...upper level winds.<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[teije]

Question: The weather officer was reporting '1 wind event' that exceeded 33 knots at a certain time (that I forgot) and no other launch constraints from a weather point of view.<br />How much time without 'events' is required to declare the weather 'acceptable'?

 

[centsworth_II]

"Should there be a new thread just to get launch attention?"<br /><br />I think it would be better to announce the launch in a new thread and link to here. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

And unfortunately no, threads cannot be merged. There's no mechanism for doing that within the board software. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[holmec]

..looks like they are updating some softeware model..<br /><br />..something was just loaded in the IMU... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#0000ff"><em>"SCE to AUX" - John Aaron, curiosity pays off</em></font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

I think it's the model of upper level winds and the ascent profile, which changes with the launch time.<br /><br />BTW, it seems I was premature in saying they'd solved the valve problem. They're still not satisfied, although the valve seems to be behaving better as they cycle more times. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[teije]

And another question: (I'm getting into this now <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> )<br />I can see the LOX boil off valve on the Atlas quite clearly, but, I don't see the boil off of the Centaur at all! Anyone know where that is located? Or if it's there at all for that matter?

 

[centsworth_II]

jmilsom doesn't seen to have made it back. Power must still be out, how frustrating! I wonder if he has radio coverage and at least knows about the delay -- I hope that's all it is. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[llivinglarge]

Will NH1 have an opportunity to observe S/2005 P 1 and S/2005 P 2?

 

[rfoshaug]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>...something was just loaded in the IMU...<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Sure it wasn't something loaded into the INU? Maybe updating the Inertial Navigation Unit (is it called that?) with new trajectory data now that the Earth has 20 extra minutes to rotate. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff9900">----------------------------------</font></p><p><font color="#ff9900">My minds have many opinions</font></p> </div>