NEW HORIZON 
Flyby Probe to the Pluto-Charon system and the Kuiper Belt


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November 4, 2005

The Pluto New Horizons spacecraft is scheduled to launch on an Atlas V rocket in January 2006. Designed to help us understand worlds at the edge of our solar system, New Horizons will make the first reconnaissance of Pluto and its multiple moons. In addition to observing the last planet in our solar system to be visited by spacecraft, the mission will also visit one or more objects in the Kuiper Belt region beyond Neptune. To reach its intended destination, the spacecraft will first swing past Jupiter for a gravity boost, conduct related scientific studies through February or March 2007 and eventually reach Pluto by July 2015.

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Shown are the connectors that will hold the encapsulating fairing in place during the initial launch phase. Thrust surface (edge) of the one half of the flight fairing. Seen edge-on are the pyrotechnic connectors that hold the fairing in place until the jettison command is given Seen edge-on is the fairing mating surface. To the left is the acoustic sound suppressors and other insulating panels.
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New Horizons and its Atlas V booster begin the journey to the launch pad The half-hour journey includes a planned stop about 1/3 of the way to the pad. Continuing its journey, the Atlas V and its New Horizons payload approach Launch Complex 41 pad.
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Nearing the pad and inside the lightning arresting towers, the booster and probe stop briefly for final alignment. The Science and Operations team signal "thumbs up" as the Atals V and its payload, New Horizons, are "hard-down" at the LC 41 pad. The Atlas V and New Horizons are secured and linked to the launch control operations.