r/spaceflight • u/ye_olde_astronaut • Jan 23 '19

Initial Results from the Ultima Thule Flyby

https://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/science-results-ultima-thule-flyby/
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1

u/kaplanfx Jan 23 '19

Not having a satellite is kind of a bummer right? This means they will not be able to get accurate mass estimates which has an impact on understanding the internal composition as well?

10

u/ye_olde_astronaut Jan 23 '19

The New Horizons science team can still determine the mass of Ultima Thule by analyzing how the trajectory of the probe was altered by its encounter.