New Horizons Pluto probe nearing its target

[Channel Hopper]

The data is now coming in (and going out) from Goldstone's 'smallest' antenna.

Deep Space Network Now

There is hope for us yet.

 

[Analoguesat]

DSS 14 is the biggest scope at Goldtone - its a 70m dish. DSS 24/25/26 are all 34m antennas.

 

[Channel Hopper]

DSS 14 is the biggest scope at Goldtone - its a 70m dish. DSS 24/25/26 are all 34m antennas.

Everything at the sharp end was based around the 26m originals, the reflector is effectively a scale model.

Can't attach the file as it's too large.

Wayback Machine

 

[s-band]

8437.724 MHz
-148dBm on DSS14, 501Baud at around 1700 but now 842Bd
Voyagers are usually around -153 to-156dBm at 10-160Bd on the 70m dishes

There is hope for us yet.

Only about 30dB below my RX threshold so it might be detectable if integrated over an hour or few

 

[Channel Hopper]

Extender panels

 

[Channel Hopper]

 

[Channel Hopper]

Better pictures arriving, confirming accretion is responsible for the snowman shape.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/01/03/new_horizons_ultima_

Madrid (DSS63) taking data in this morning

 

[Channel Hopper]

From Mission Control

Data transmission from New Horizons will pause for about a week while the spacecraft passes behind the sun as seen from here on Earth. Data transmission resumes Jan. 10, starting a 20-month download of the spacecraft's remaining scientific treasures.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Stuff on its way, at least it has survived a few days behind the sun, plus many more kilometres through the solar system.

Deep Space Network Now

 

[s-band]

DSS63 Madrid
1584 Bd
8437.896MHz
-142.95 dBm

A bit stronger than before hence higher data rate

 

[Channel Hopper]

Could be concidence, but the latest picture has just arrived after the US shutdown is over.

New Horizons sends back best picture yet of Ultima Thule – Astronomy Now

More to come soon

 

[william-1]

The New Horizons probe has sent back its best picture yet of the small, icy object Ultima Thule, which it flew past on New Year's Day.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Apparently not a snowman after all, more like breakfast.

New Horizons scientists can confirm that the two sections (or "lobes") of Ultima Thule are not spherical. The larger lobe, nicknamed "Ultima," more closely resembles a giant pancake and the smaller lobe, nicknamed "Thule," is shaped like a dented walnut.


New Horizons' evocative farewell glance at Ultima Thule

 

[satesco]

@Channel Hopper,
Maybe it's useles, but keep us informed with the latest news from NASA about Ultima Thule.Thanks.

 

[Channel Hopper]

It is going to take at least another year to send all the data back from the last flyby, but somewhere I've seen the engineers planning their next target in the Kuiper belt, there is plenty of fuel left onboard for further manoeuvers.

 

[Channel Hopper]

The latest revelation, based on the flyby of four years back

New Horizons research indicates small Kuiper Belt objects are surprisingly rare

If the majority of objects have been cleared from Pluto/Charon orbit as suggested, then there is a good chance it could be brought back as the ninth planet.

 

[Channel Hopper]

I was expecting more after two months, then I realise MU69 is nothing like the size of Pluto, and a bit further away.

Ultima Thule Pops in 3D in This Incredible New Horizons View

The New Horizons spacecraft is speeding away from its recent flyby target, a distant icy space rock nicknamed Ultima Thule, but the view from Earth is only getting better.

www.space.com

 

[Channel Hopper]

Mapping the surface

 

[Channel Hopper]

Popped up in my bag of potatoes, Ultima Spud.

 

[jeallen01]

Popped up in my bag of potatoes, Ultima Spud.

"This thread is rapidly going downhill. "