now he says ” why do we need a rocket to go to Pluto anyway?”

Because it’s a very long walk?

FWIW, my dh doesn’t work for NASA; he’s contracted to Lockhead, which built Atlas V. Atlas V is the vehicle that will launch the New Horizons spacecraft on its journey. The Atlas V has launched spy satellites, communication satellites, and other things; it’s America’s heaviest launch vehicle. Private and government entities “hire” the Atlas V to launch their spacecrafts and satellites.

Here’s a quote from Space Flight Now regarding the Pluto mission. Keep in mind that my husband works on the Atlas V, and that the New Horizons spacecraft is the “thing” in the news, not the Atlas V.

“Why are we doing this? Science is the driver. Science is the reason new Horizons is making this journey to the outskirts of the solar system. We think the study of Pluto, Charon and the Kuiper Belt objects are key to understanding the origin and evolution of the solar system.”

It is remarkable to remember that astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto in 1930 and that in a single generation - 76 years - technology has progressed from propeller-driven aircraft and steamships to spacecraft capable of reaching that distant world.

“Pluto was discovered in 1930,” Weaver said. “In 1978, its moon, Charon, was discovered. It has only been in the past 10 years that we’ve known about this third zone, a torus-shaped region surrounding the sun that we now call the Kuiper Belt. It’s only been in really the last 10 years that we’ve recognized that Pluto and Charon actually are more similar to these small icy worlds in the Kuiper Belt than they are to the other planets.

“All of those objects - Pluto, Charon and the Kuiper Belt objects - have been kept in a deep freeze on the outskirts of the solar system since the time of its formation 4.6 billion years ago,” Weaver said. “And for that reason, it’s preserved that original material from which the solar system formed and that’s one of the important reasons for going there. It’s really the frontier of planetary science, it’s a region we have never been before.”

The last time I heard one referred to was when my pediatrician friend encouraged me to use the stethoscope I’d been given after my little guy was hospitalized with pneumonia and listen to his lungs myself: “It’s not rocket science,” she said. (Sure enough, I learned what a wheeze sounds like, and congestion, and clear!)

You’re right, it’s all about what you get used to!

BTW, I’d love to be added to your list of links. As I mentioned before, I’ve been reading, on and off, since your nomination for Best New Evangelical Blog was announced on MOMYS!

Blessings to your family and on the launch.

I saw the news that the launch is delayed =( Do you know when it will be rescheduled?

Tomorrow at 1 - something p.m.

Maybe you should see if your hubby can bring home some little object that will be traveling to Pluto and have a fingerprint ceremony of your own!

The plutonium might prevent such a thing. Oh, and that it’s about 250 feet in the air. We’ll remember that for the next launch though.

I just now realized we both have scientist hubbies. My guy is a microbiologist. He does wear a white coat and is occassionally allowed to do the potion thingy. Most of his job is pushing paper and supervising though. He would much rather play with auger than deal with people though. It’s much less complex. I look at that picture you posted and wonder what it would look like minus all the rockets and plus a few cows, chickens and guineas. Sorry, it is just a hang up I have. Hey, I know how about a compromise. Rockets fashioned in the shape of cows, chickens and guenias. I better go rest before I hurt myself.

I also really enjoy your blog! I don’t remember if I’ve commented yet, but I arrived via Jamie.