NASA's New Horizons Spacecraft Nears Pluto After Nine-Year Journey

Shortly before 8am on July 14, NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft passed approximately 7,800 miles (12,500km) above the surface of Pluto, after a three-billion-mile, nine-year journey to the dwarf planet. “We have completed the initial reconnaissance of the Solar System, an endeavor started under President Kennedy more than 50 years ago and continuing to today under President Obama,” said the mission’s chief scientist, Alan Stern.

“It’s really historic what the US has done, and the New Horizons team is really proud to have been able to run that anchor leg and make this accomplishment,” he said.

Initial measurements captured by the spacecraft show that Pluto is approximately two-thirds the size of the Earth’s moon, significantly larger than scientists expected. NASA officials expect the first images from the flyby to be released on Wednesday night. Credit: YouTube/NASA