Pluto explorer back on again - maybe

[Kaptain K]

Article in Tuesday's New York Times says that a mission to Pluto is back on. This after the PKE was cancelled last year. To be launched in 2006 and arrive at Pluto in 2016. That's the good news. The bad news is that Pluto's atmosphere may have "frozen out" by then and Congress only authorized $30 million for "study" this year with no long term commitment. If it is not launched by 2008, Jupiter will no lonnger be in position for gravity assist and a 10 year flight stretches to 20 or more. My bet is that it doesn't happen. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Sorry, no link. I'm not registered with NYT. I read it "hard copy".
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TANSTAAFL!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Kaptain K on 2002-01-30 13:06 ]</font>

[ToSeek]

Here's APL's press release on the subject. It's funded for now but only until the end of September.

[David Hall]

I don't really care what the atmosphere is like when we get there, as long as we get something there at all. It would be a nice bonus to see what kind of atmosphere it has, but any info at all is better than none.

I really can't understand why there's so much difficulty in getting a simple probe there. We've had missions to every other planet, but nobody seems to think it's worthwhile to visit little ol' Pluto. As the prime example of outer solar system objects, I would think people would love to know more about it.

[ToSeek]

On 2002-02-02 11:07, David Hall wrote:

I really can't understand why there's so much difficulty in getting a simple probe there. We've had missions to every other planet, but nobody seems to think it's worthwhile to visit little ol' Pluto. As the prime example of outer solar system objects, I would think people would love to know more about it.

Part of the problem (I think) is that planetary scientists don't speak with one voice: some want a Pluto probe, others think Europa is a higher priority. If they keep arguing among themselves, they're risking not having any probes.

[jkmccrann]

It's definitely on. Only 70 days until launch. Its all here.

http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/

[ToSeek]

It's definitely on. Only 70 days until launch. Its all here.

http://pluto.jhuapl.edu/

And we have a perfectly good thread about it here, with all the latest news. I really don't see a good reason for bumping this one.