New Horizons

Extended Mission

First mission to Pluto and continuing exploration of the Kuiper Belt. Extended through 2028-2029 when it exits the Kuiper Belt. Currently traveling at 14.1 km/s, heading deeper into space. Focused on heliophysics studies beginning FY2025.

Type

Deep Space Probe

Launch Date

01/19/2006

Location

Kuiper Belt (62.2 AU from Earth as of September 2025)

Live Position Data

Mission Achievements

✓First spacecraft to fly by Pluto (July 14, 2015)
✓Flyby of Kuiper Belt object Arrokoth (2019)
✓Detected extended Kuiper Belt dust regions (2025)
✓Operating for 19+ years in deep space
✓Currently 62.2 AU from Earth (September 2025)
✓Discovered Pluto's complex geology and atmosphere
✓Found evidence of subsurface ocean on Pluto
✓Will exit Kuiper Belt in 2028-2029

Mission Objectives

▸Collect heliophysics data from outer solar system (primary focus FY2025+)
▸Explore Kuiper Belt environment and dust distribution
▸Study solar wind interactions at extreme distances
▸Monitor interstellar boundary conditions
▸Continue operations until Kuiper Belt exit (2028-2029)

Scientific Instruments

•LORRI: Long Range Reconnaissance Imager - high-resolution telescopic camera
•Ralph: Visible/infrared imaging spectrometer with color and composition mapping
•Alice: Ultraviolet imaging spectrometer for atmospheric studies
•REX: Radio Science Experiment using communications system
•SWAP: Solar Wind Around Pluto - plasma and energetic particle detector
•PEPSSI: Pluto Energetic Particle Spectrometer Science Investigation
•SDC: Student Dust Counter - detects dust particles