NASA Receives Signal From New Horizons Spacecraft After Historic Flyby 4 Billion Miles From Earth

KTLA ^ | 01/01/2018

[BenLurkin]

Although the flyby occurred at 12:33 a.m. ET on Tuesday, the spacecraft is so far from Earth that the “phone-home” signal didn’t reach us until about 10:30 a.m. ET.

Mission scientists were relieved about the success because there was only one chance to get it right as New Horizons screamed past Ultima at 31,500 miles per hour. This incredible feat was possible because thousands of operations on the spacecraft worked in sync.

“We’ve just accomplished the most distant flyby,” mission operations manager Alice Bowman said. “This science will help us understand the origins of our solar system.”

New Horizons has also sent back a first look at Ultima Thule — taken from half a million miles out, so pardon the pixels.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“This science will help us understand the origins of our solar system.”

I could explain it to them for free.

[Bullish]

Looks like God lost one of his bowling pins.

[crosdaddy]

Either that, or its a Bobs BigBoy.

[raybbr]

“””Although the flyby occurred at 12:33 a.m. ET on Tuesday, the spacecraft is so far from Earth that the “phone-home” signal didn’t reach us until about 10:30 a.m. ET.””” 😎We got the signal before it was sent.

[C210N]

Either that, or a red spear poked a peanut.

Looking forward to the first real images - presume they’ll circulate widely in the next few days, before the weekend. (Over the weekend no comm is possible due to solar blockage)

[Moonman62]

“This science will help us understand the origins of our solar system.”

I could explain it to them for free.

...

You get what you pay for.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

[HiTech RedNeck]

Suppose God bought it for us.

I could well expect to find out that our solar system, as earth itself, comprises a mix of a vast number of factors. Of course we don’t have a clue which ones until we go and look.

And so the scientific explanation gives a deeper look into the theological explanation.

[Constitution Day]

[HiTech RedNeck]

Suppose God bought it for us.

I could well expect to find out that our solar system, as earth itself, comprises a mix of a vast number of factors. Of course we don’t have a clue which ones until we go and look.

And so the scientific explanation gives a deeper look into the theological explanation.

[Grimmy]

Either that, or its a Bobs BigBoy.

**********************************

Doctor Evil’s escape ship?

[Openurmind]

Watching NASA live and got nothing more on this yet. Wonder what the hold up is?

[BenLurkin]

I knew it!

[Libloather]

Someone really should go up there and install an HD camera on that thing.

[faithhopecharity]

NASA shows no respect for Jimmy Hoffa’s grave

[crosdaddy]

Exactly

[HiTech RedNeck]

It’s waiting for the Pin Boy to collect it after the strike that sent it out there.

[Crucial]

All this for a giant space peanut.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks fieldmarshaldj.