Spacecraft «New Horizons» passed the orbit of Neptune: Pluto is closer

Habré has repeatedly published materials on the space station «New Horizons», which is gradually approaching its goal: Pluto, once called by a planet.

The station was launched eight years ago, on 19 January 2006 and now the machine is gradually approaching to Pluto at a speed of about 15 kilometers per second. Except Pluto, «New Horizons» must be evaluated and other celestial bodies in the outer region.

About the middle of July this year, the operators had a speed correction device, so you can now talk about the exact date of the arrival station to Pluto: it will happen July 15, 2015. It was then that station will be held at a distance 12, 5000 kilometers from the surface of the planetoid.



It may be that next year will be one further correction rate. Scientists believe that the new correction to avoid possible clashes with neighbors Pluto in this area - small objects that can not be seen yet.

It is planned that during the rapprochement with Pluto camera unit will conduct a detailed survey of Pluto and Charon, Pluto's moon, with details from 1 to 40 kilometers, as well as to carry out other work, including the preparation of maps of the surface temperature and the study of the atmosphere of Pluto and Charon. The likely volume of data transmitted from the board of «New Horizons» around 5 GB.



After Pluto station went to a pre-selected objects in the Kuiper belt. So far, scientists have not decided for sure whether «New Horizons» explore one or more duplicate objects in this region.

A few days later, August 29, «New Horizons» translate into sleep mode in order to maximize fuel economy and power. Wake up the machine in the winter of 2015.

The current location of the device can be found here .

Source: habrahabr.ru/post/234807/