Pluto fly-by mission wakes after long sleep nearly 9.5B kilometres from Earth

5 hours ago

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft woke from hibernation on June 23 after being in sleep mode since August 7, 2025, now located 9.5 billion kilometers from Earth.
The mission has explored Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, including a fly-by of Pluto in 2015 and the snowman-shaped object Arrokoth in 2019.
New Horizons is collecting data on Kuiper Belt objects' rotations, shapes, and the distribution of gas and dust, revealing surprises like extended dust beyond the belt.
Instruments measure galactic cosmic rays and heliosphere shielding, helping understand space threats and solar system protection.
Hibernation periods have been crucial for conserving resources and extending the spacecraft's lifespan since its 2006 launch, with over 20 hibernations since 2007.
The mission is currently in its second phase, set to conclude in 2029, but may continue to interstellar space if the spacecraft remains healthy.

Hasty Briefsbeta