New Horizons
A NASA spacecraft launched in 2006 to study Pluto, its moons, and other objects in the Kuiper Belt. It performed a historic flyby of Pluto on July 14, 2015, providing the first close-up images of the dwarf planet.
Source: nasa.gov
APODs including "New Horizons"
Pluto Resolved
15/07/2015
New Horizons has survived its close encounter with Pluto and has resumed sending back images and data. The robotic spacecraft reported back on time, with all systems working, and with the expected volume of data stored. Featured here is the highest resolution image of Pluto taken before closest approach, an image that really brings Pluto into a satisfying focus. At first glance, Pluto is reddish and has several craters. Toward the image bottom is a surprisingly featureless light-covered region that resembles an iconic heart, and mountainous terrain appears on the lower right. This image, however, is only the beginning. As more images and data pour in today, during the coming week, and over the next year, humanity's understanding of Pluto and its moons will likely become revolutionized. Pluto flyby updates: #PlutoFlyby, Twitter, Facebook, Web