4 ms·
New Horizons can't use many of its scientific instruments and cameras in spin mode. Spin mode gyroscopically stabilizes it so that its main antenna can be point
by tabtab 8y ago
New Horizons can't use many of its scientific instruments and cameras in spin mode. Spin mode gyroscopically stabilizes it so that its main antenna can be pointed more precisely, allowing a higher data rate. Thus, I suspect they won't want to enter spin mode until it's no longer doing any photographic or scientific observations of Thule. Therefore, data packets will be slow in the days before and after encounter because they want to still aim instruments; but this makes antenna pointing less precise. New Horizons can't chew gum and talk at the same time :-)
- dogma1138 8y agoAgain they won’t plan missions in this manner, in the rare event that they’ll need to override data they’ll have a clear protocol sending a summary in this case would be a waste of bandwidth.
- tabtab 8y agoBoth your statements are not clear to me. There still seems to be some unstated assumption that is confusing one or both of us.