- 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.