Comments on: Pluto launch, take 3

By: Thomas Siefert

Thomas Siefert — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 14:54:34 +0000

Tracy, when I read your comment I thought: “Gee, I’m happy that I’m not gonna be that old then”.
Then I realised that I will be 48.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 20:49:34 +0000

It was an amazing launch! Can’t wait for it to arrive in 2015. I’ll be 47 then and it will be worth the wait.

By: Nigel Depledge

Nigel Depledge — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 22:02:51 +0000

Philippec – have you ever driven a single-seater racing car …?

Dukrous – here’s hoping it won’t HIT Pluto, but will swing by and then explore more of the Kuiper Belt.

Best of luck, New Horizons.

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:29:16 +0000

Alexf: It will reach the distance of the Moon’s orbit in about 9 hours!

By: Pro Libertate

Pro Libertate — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:16:12 +0000

Okay, I can answer my own question. The Planetary Society has a page summarizing the mission details. Now that the launch has hit the window for the Jupiter encounter, the expected arrival at Jupiter is February/March 2007.

By: Alexf

Alexf — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:15:39 +0000

Saw it live on NASA TV a few minutes after 14:00 EST (19:00 UTC). It was beautiful!

In 9 days it will go past the moon and in just a short 10 years we’ll get pictures of Pluto! Can’t wait!

Now, to connect to the other thread what do the astrologers say about the futurwe of this probe? Will Pluto be”in conjunction”? (whatever that means)

By: Stuart

Stuart — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:10:06 +0000

Way to go, couldn’t connect to the NASA webcams, too busy I expect, but amazingly live coverage on Sky News (nothing on CNN!).

Very quick to go and climb rate was staggering, way to go!

By: Pro Libertate

Pro Libertate — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:09:48 +0000

When is it slated to reach Jupiter for the gravity assist?

By: Philippec

Philippec — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:08:25 +0000

WOW!!!! What an incredible and truly exhilirating moment to watch that rocket rise !!

0 to 6800 mph in under 2 minutes….. THAT is acceleration…..

By: Thomas Siefert

Thomas Siefert — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:08:10 +0000

That Live TLM Data simulation is cool!

By: Dukrous

Dukrous — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:06:12 +0000

Excellent launch. I can only hope I’ll still be around in 2015 when it hits Pluto.

By: Zeb Rice

Zeb Rice — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:05:27 +0000

Horray!!!

Man that thing lifts off fast. I guess I’m just used to the space shuttle with its fragile biological cargo.

By: Anthony Wright

Anthony Wright — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 19:00:35 +0000

LIFTOFF!

By: Thomas Siefert

Thomas Siefert — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 18:55:27 +0000

Chips? Go!
Cola? Go!
Peanuts? Go!

By: Philippec

Philippec — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 18:22:29 +0000

I saw a couple of images, while at work (shhh!! don’t tell!) and waiting for the Pluto launch, and I remember them showing a picture of some of the bits of asteroids’ impacts on the aerogel…. Very impressive!!!

They also have shown the path that stardust took to intercept with the comet. That is also a prestty impressive feat, to be able to go a couple of times around the sun, and intersect a very small object millions of kilometers form us…. and then managing to get to change course, come back to earth, and deliver a package.

I wonder if Canada Post, or Fedex could do that with the same precision of execution? Also notice that the delivered package, aside being a little burnt, had nothing broken in it….

Hats off, guys!

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 18:14:25 +0000

1:30, now.

A few clouds cause at the very beginning of a 32 AU trip is the least of their worries. Let’s just go!

By: Michelle Rochon

Michelle Rochon — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 18:07:42 +0000

You know, if I’d have that weather here, I’d callthat a nice day.

By: Anthony Wright

Anthony Wright — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 18:06:09 +0000

1:25 new launch time.

By: Thomas Siefert

Thomas Siefert — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 18:02:31 +0000

All systems are GO!

By: Dinsko

Dinsko — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 17:54:58 +0000

fingers crossed, go, go, go