To Pluto and beyond

“New Horizons launches next Tuesday, the 17th.

http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/launch/index.php”

“I guess you two are the only ones who don't realize the 'space program' is a sham.”

“You're wrong fiddlehead! We know! We're space cadets and you're not, so there! Ha-ha!

Ten years from now we'll know everything there is to know about Pluto!”

“All times are in EST unless otherwise

2:45 p.m. - We have spacecraft separation!!!! The launch team celebrates as confirmation of the separation is received. New Horizons is now on the way to Pluto on its nine year mission.

2:42 p.m. - We have third stage burn out.

2:40 p.m. - The third stage has ignited.

2:33 p.m. - The Centaur engine is performing incredibly well.

2:30 p.m. - Mark Lavigne of the telemetry lab reports that Centaur has gone to dual-range hydrogen pressurization. We have liquid oxygen (LOX) system pre-start. We now have ignition and full thrust on the Centaur. This burn will last for about nine and a half minutes.

2:25 p.m. - 5 minutes remain in this coast phase after which the RL-10 engine will be ignited.

Did You Know?
The payload fairing, which protects the spacecraft during launch, will be jettisoned approximately 3.5 minutes into the flight.

2:18 p.m. - Centaur has begun its roll reversal as expected during this coast phase. All systems are stable at this time.

2:15 p.m. - We're now at T+15 minutes and counting and everything has progressed as planned and we are in a coast phase and will have start of the second stage in about 14 minutes.

2:11 p.m. - There will now be a 19-minute and 45-second coast phase.

2:07 p.m. - Data quality is good and engine operation is nominal. Signals are strong.

2:04 p.m. - We have main engine cut off (MECO) and Centaur is flying at 93 nautical miles in altitude. Range track is good, right down the middle of the corridor.

2:01 p.m. - We are at T+1 minute, 45 seconds. Solid separation looks good. Attitude is good. Vehicle is currently flying at 33 nautical miles in altitude.

2:00 p.m. - At T-18, 15 seconds, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,.............we have ignition and liftoff of NASA's New Horizons spacecraft on a decade long voyage to visit Pluto...and then beyond.... Official launch time is 2 p.m. EST.”

“You probably believe we landed on the moon too.

*eyeroll*”

“What do you mean we?

You didn't, but I did.”

“I got my telescope out last night to show my son Saturn. He's really into space and Saturn in particular. He thought it was pretty cool to see it for real.”

“I didn't realize you had a son named Saturn.”

“Ok, who will keep this thread active until the probe arrives at Pluto?”

“Whoever lives that long, I would guess. Could even be me.”

“Me either, bit. Must be the one he keeps in the basement.”

“Saturn was impressed with the 'scope.”

“Pluto! Very very cool!”

“Very cool indeed: -369 F!”

“We saw it go up from the office window.

That sucker went up fast.
Faster than a shuttle launch.”

“Well yeah, it's got a long way to go and time's a-wastin'!”

“You think they will swing by and pick up goofy?”

“it's really not that bad....-369ºF....it's a very dry cold, no humidity to speak of...”

“Pluto's just a big Asterroid. How much fuel did that sucker use?

]:)”

“-369 you say. So I shouldn't bother taking my canister stove then?”

“Goofy's still the only dog I know who owns another dog.



New Horizons”

“Looks like there are only 8 planets now. Pluto has been demoted.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/08/24/pluto.ap/index.html”

“demoted to what? janitor?

”

“so they actually agreed on what a planet is? I thaought they were going to make pluto and its moon dual planets.”

“I protest!

It was so exciting hearing about Pluto after I started school. It was discovered two years before I was born. It has been part of my life. Don't let them take it away with new, revised definitions of what constitutes a planet. Heck, Pluto has more moons than earth.”

“crap!

sorry guys, i shoulda previewed”

“Stuff beyond Pluto? Wow! Sadly some here can't think any further than Uranus.”

“Thinking of changing it's name to goofy”

“" message from sacco being ignored"

Your picture does not fit on my screen. This screws up the whole thread, when using Netscape and IE. So, you're on ignore until you learn how to limit the size of your posts. I don't know of any other way to make the thread easily viewable.
last edited: 8/24/06 8:56:47 AM”

“bawhaw! Sacco got pn3d by Nowslimmer!

"A wag of the finger for sacco because he is ON NOTICE!"

”

“Does Sacco get put up on the board? Does he out rank bears?”

“Sacco - P.S. I just caught your other comment. Thanks for recognizing the problem.”

“i repeat:

crap!

sorry guys, i shoulda previewed”

what else do you want, a freakin pound of flesh?

could someone please tell NS, i said he's now on my ignore for being a big jerk

EDIT: could someone now tell NS i just caught his later comment and he's back off my ignore list and everythings cool.
last edited: 8/24/06 9:09:53 AM”

“Your penalty is to eat a pound of dog food.

Canned or dry, its your choice.

Now, EAT IT!!!”

“Your penalty is to eat a pound of dog food.

Canned or dry, its your choice.

Now, EAT IT!!!”

“NS - sacco says he's putting you on ignore for being a "big jerk."

NS - sacco says oops, he's not putting you on ignore and still loves you. Hugs.”

“i'm putting Marko on ignore for double posting”

“I'm putting hyway on ignore for ignoring MarkO”

“doh, I didn't see this thread”

“I'm putting ENS on ignore for not using the search feature.”

“I'm putting zac on ignore for mentioning the search feature”

“Hey, where did everybody go? I guess this place isn't as much fun with everyone on ignore.”

“well, with stunning comments like this:

message from lumberzac being ignored

everything that could be said has been said”

“I'm putting you all on ignore because I can.. :)”

“Ignore this, #&%!$.”

“It was a great thread while it lasted...

I only want that pound of flesh if it's Prime Cut, Mo' Fo'!”

“It's gonna be great for the liquid paper industry.

All those middle school science projects about the solar system are going to have to be updated monthly.

BTW, I don't think that the gas giants should count as planets. It has always seemed wrong that you couldn't actually land on some of the planets.”