Intro music.
Precise timing is a key element for NASA's New Horizons mission.
Scientists say there's an urgency to get to Pluto as soon as possible.
One reason is that the planet has an extreme elliptical orbit which takes about 248 years to revolve
around the sun. Pluto is now speeding away from Earth and is growing much colder as it travels away
from the Sun. As the planet recedes from the Sun's warmth, scientists expect its atmosphere to "freeze out"
and become unobservable. Another reason is the expanse of space that the spacecraft has to travel
to reach the edge of the solar system. Dr. Fran Bagenal of the University of Colorado explains the importance of the
New Horizons launch window.
The issue of when we arrive at Pluto or how long it will take to get to Pluto will depend on when we launch.
If we launch on the first day, January 11th, then we'll get to Pluto in 2015.
But, if we launch a day later, or several days later, we don't just get to Pluto two days later, it could be as much as five years later.
And the reason for this is that it depends on whether or not we can get that gravity assist at Jupiter.
And it also depends on the orbits of the planets.
So, a little delay could lead to a much longer duration of the mission and a longer time getting to Pluto.
There also will be significant science opportunities at Jupiter for mapping and atmospheric studies as
New Horizons takes advantage of the planet's gravity assist. Using this boost from Jupiter will shorten the
journey by about three years. NASA's New Horizons, a historic mission of exploration, will be
the first spacecraft ever to travel to Pluto and beyond.