Please see the attached flier, or visit our web site at https://www.nadxa.com/w7p_2030_2025.html Get ready to be starstruck! The Northern Arizona DX Association is conducting the 5th year of the 10-year countdown to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Pluto's discovery by the legendary Clyde Tombaugh at the renowned Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona! **Mark Your Calendars** This spectacular event will take place this February 15th through the 23rd with W7P, W7P/P and W7P/0 on the air. **W7P on the Air**: Our club members will be live at the Lowell Observatory, making QSOs just outside the impressive new $53 million Marley Astronomy Discovery Center in our freshly updated 20’ communication trailer, thanks to a generous ARRL grant. - **Home Operators Unite**: NADXA members from Flagstaff, the surrounding area, and other states will join the celebration from their home QTHs, making this a truly universal affair. **Collectible Treasures** Each year of this countdown brings a unique QSL card featuring captivating themes such as Clyde Tombaugh, his momentous discovery, Pluto’s moons, and the incredible instruments he used. The reverse side of each card is packed with fascinating details. It has been 10 years since the New Horizon Spacecraft Pluto fly-by and we are featuring this on our 2025 QSL with lots of information about the radio equipment they used to send and receive signals from 4.67 billion miles, and beyond. **Framed Perfection** We offer a stunning color certificate, perfect for framing, with endorsement stickers for each year you participate. **Special Guest Appearance** Doug Tombaugh (N3PDT),(Clyde Tombaugh’s nephew), and his team will join the event as W7P/0 from the Kansas City area. Contact him for an extra endorsement on your certificate! **Global Airwaves** Our club members will be working as many bands and modes as conditions allow. Dive into the details, QSL cards, event certificate, and more on our [club website](http://www.nadxa.com) or check out the W7P callsign on QRZ.com. **Join Us** Swing by Lowell Observatory to witness our setup in action. We would welcome your help in making W7P QSOs! Try your hand at our radios, including the Kenwood TS590S for SSB, Elecraft K3 for CW/SSB or digital modes, and a Yaesu FT991 for FT-8. Lots to see and do at Lowell! We can't wait to connect with you on the air or see you at the observatory. 73, Bob Wertz, NF7E Northern Arizona DX Association Flagstaff, Arizona Bob6315@earthlink.net
Strange. I can't understand why the New Horizons spacecraft was not slowed down nearing Pluto. It could have been placed into a elliptical orbit, instead, to observe the moons as well. Did it not have enough fuel? That could have been incorporated into the project for a bit more money. FWIW.
The amount of fuel that would have been required to slow NH enough to be captured by Pluto would have been enormous. Plus, the additional hardware and initial launch thrust required would have increased the cost and development time to an unacceptable level. Lastly, one of the goals was to keep moving on out into the Kuiper Belt to explore that region of the solar system. New Horizons was a brilliantly conceived mission.
Alan Stern told us about some of the bureaucrats he was dealing with on the mission. A bunch of them wanted to replace the RTG with solar panels. No, that's not going to work, and it's too heavy to launch! Duh. So yeah, fuel was at a premium.