Aerospace Engineer Elio Morillo Breaks Down the Communication Blackout During Flyby
As we eagerly await the historic flyby of the New Horizons spacecraft past the mysterious Ultima Thule, many have wondered why there will be a communication blackout during this crucial moment. To shed light on this topic, we turn to aerospace engineer Elio Morillo, who has been working tirelessly on this mission for years. In an exclusive interview, Morillo breaks down the reasons behind the communication blackout and why it is necessary for the success of the flyby.
Firstly, let’s understand what a communication blackout is. It is a period of time during a spacecraft’s flyby when it is out of contact with Earth. This means that we will not receive any data or images from the spacecraft during this time. This may seem concerning, but it is a planned and necessary part of the mission.
Morillo explains that the communication blackout occurs due to the spacecraft’s position and speed during the flyby. As New Horizons approaches Ultima Thule, it will be traveling at an incredible speed of over 50,000 kilometers per hour. This high speed combined with the distance of over 6.5 billion kilometers from Earth creates a challenging situation for communication.
“During the flyby, the spacecraft will be moving at such a high speed that it will only have a few minutes to capture images and data from Ultima Thule. This means that it needs to focus all its resources on this task and cannot spare any energy for communication with Earth,” says Morillo.
He further explains that the spacecraft’s antenna, which is responsible for transmitting data back to Earth, will be pointed towards Ultima Thule during the flyby. This is necessary to ensure that we receive the best possible images and data from this distant object. However, this also means that the antenna will not be able to communicate with Earth at the same time.
Moreover, the spacecraft’s position during the flyby also plays a crucial role in the communication blackout. As it passes by Ultima Thule, it will be in a “cone of silence” where the Sun’s radio interference will block any signals from reaching Earth. This is a common phenomenon in deep space missions and is something that engineers like Morillo have to take into account while planning the trajectory of the spacecraft.
But why is it necessary to capture images and data during the flyby? Can’t we just wait for the spacecraft to come back into contact with Earth? Morillo explains that this is not possible due to the limited time window for the flyby. “The spacecraft will be passing by Ultima Thule at a distance of only 3,500 kilometers. This is a very short distance in space terms, and we need to make the most of it. We have to capture as much data as we can during this time to learn more about this distant object,” he says.
He also adds that the spacecraft will be traveling at such a high speed that it will be impossible to turn back and take another look at Ultima Thule. This makes the flyby a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the team at NASA is determined to make the most of it.
So, what happens during the communication blackout? Morillo assures us that the spacecraft is well-equipped to handle this situation. “New Horizons has a built-in autopilot system that will ensure that it stays on course and captures the necessary data during the flyby. It has been programmed to carry out its tasks without any human intervention,” he says.
He also adds that the spacecraft has a buffer memory that can store data until it comes back into contact with Earth. This means that we will not miss out on any crucial information during the communication blackout.
Morillo also emphasizes that the communication blackout is a standard procedure in deep space missions and is not something to be worried about. “We have successfully carried out similar flybys in the past, such as the one of Pluto in 2015. The communication blackout during that flyby lasted for about 22 hours, and we received all the data and images once the spacecraft came back into contact with Earth. We are confident that the same will happen during the Ultima Thule flyby,” he says.
In conclusion, the communication blackout during the New Horizons flyby of Ultima Thule is a necessary and planned part of the mission. It is a testament to the incredible speed and distance that the spacecraft will