New spacecraft sent to pluto
Exciting news! NASA has indeed sent a new spacecraft to Pluto, and it's called the New Horizons spacecraft. Here's a brief overview:
New Horizons
New Horizons is a NASA spacecraft that was launched on January 19, 2006, with the primary mission to explore Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, a region of icy bodies and other small celestial objects beyond Neptune's orbit.
The Journey
After a 9.5-year journey, New Horizons flew by Pluto on July 14, 2015, providing the first close-up images and data about the dwarf planet. The spacecraft then continued on its journey, exploring the Kuiper Belt and discovering new objects in the region.
The Latest Mission
In 2020, NASA announced that New Horizons would embark on a new mission to explore the Kuiper Belt and beyond. The spacecraft is now on a trajectory to explore the distant, icy world of Arrokoth (formerly known as Ultima Thule), which is located about 4 billion miles (6.4 billion kilometers) from Earth.
Arrokoth
Arrokoth is a contact binary, meaning it's composed of two connected objects that are thought to have formed from the merger of two smaller bodies. The spacecraft flew by Arrokoth on January 1, 2019, providing stunning images and data about this mysterious world.
What's Next?
New Horizons is expected to continue exploring the Kuiper Belt and beyond, potentially discovering new objects and providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of our solar system. The spacecraft is equipped with a range of instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and a radio science experiment, which will help scientists study the composition, geology, and atmosphere of the objects it encounters.
Fun Facts
- New Horizons is the fastest spacecraft ever built, with a top speed of about 36,000 miles per hour (58,000 kilometers per hour).
- The spacecraft is about the size of a grand piano and weighs about 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms).
- New Horizons has traveled over 4.1 billion miles (6.6 billion kilometers) since its launch in 2006.
Stay tuned for more updates on New Horizons' exciting journey!