NASA Finally Responds To Simple Questions About the New Horizons Mission to Pluto
“Three months ago I asked the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) some simple questions regarding possible changes to the New Horizons encounter with Pluto based on recent data indicating debris in the region. I was told that I’d get a prompt reply. SMD PAO finally got around to responding to me today after three months of silence. One would think that these answers would be simple to provide – and based on standard mission operating procedures. Guess not.”
– NASA Remains Silent on New Horizons Issues (Update)
– Will NASA Have To ‘Bail Out’ On Close Pluto Encounter?, earlier post

Biologist, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA Space Biologist and Payload integrator, Editor of NASAWatch.com and Astrobiology.com, Lapsed climber, Explorer, Synaesthete, Former Challenger Center board member...

5 replies on “4 Simple Pluto Questions; 3 Months for SMD to Reply”

  2. Keith. You did not mention the questions you did. They may be idiots. This delays the procedure. Besides, maybe your question can be answered with what already exists published in the media. I do not know what question you did, but maybe the answer is obvious. If there are reports of debris, said that if there exists the possibility of changing the meeting of New Horizons, Pluto, if this possibility exists, and if you require details such as taxpayer considering a mission of many months, requiring complex decisions, I I believe it is difficult for NASA to respond in less than three months. Maybe the questions are too complex, but little useful or influential, which is the official NASA mind answering. Perhaps they are very complex questions to be answered quickly. I believe that three months is a reasonable time. And best is answered? You can provide us with the questions and answers? For us to do an analysis? To see if you are right or are just looking for horn horse head. Anyway, I agree with you when the state apparatus for their employees, does not provide a fast and efficient service. I would express that yes, we need to require efficiency, and NASA, do your best. But NASA is not the Mac Donalds, and I believe it is natural things linger a little longer.

  3. Hell, I’d give em brownie points if they NEVER answered your question.
    The one thing the mission team knows for sure is; they’re damned if the do, damned if they don’t. If they re-target the s/c you’ll carp on them for being to conservative, loosing data and wasting money.If they fly the original trajectory, you’ll carp on them for taking the risk. What ever the outcome…you’ll carp.Yeah yeah, I don’t have to read your site. Frankly, it’s like hanging out at the water cooler to catch up on the latest gossip. I might get some useful tidbits, but afterwards I feel like I need a shower with disinfectant.   

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