New Horizons Probe (Finally) Ready For Long Journey
Leonard David writes on Space.com:
Billed as the first mission to the last planet, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft is in the final stages of being readied for departure to Pluto.
The spacecraft and its booster, an Atlas V, are now mated. Yet to be attached is the probe’s nuclear power source, followed by hardware electrical connection checks.
The compact and nuclear-powered New Horizons probe is outfitted with seven scientific instruments, built to take an unprecedented up-close look at Pluto and its moon Charon, map their surface compositions and temperatures, and examine Pluto’s complex atmosphere.
Given a liftoff during its first launch window, the spacecraft will arrive at Pluto in the summer of 2015.
posted by Fergie @ 12/19/2005 03:18:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home