Spacecraft achieves flyby of Pluto, then calls home - Fox News
NASA's New Horizons spacecraft got humanity's first up-close look at Pluto on Tuesday, sending word of its triumph across 3 billion miles to scientists waiting breathlessly back home. Confirmation of mission success came 13 hours after the actual flyby and, after a day of both jubilation and tension, allowed the New Horizons team to finally celebrate in full force. Principal scientist Alan Stern asked the entire New Horizons team in the audience to stand: "We did it. Take a bow. New Horizons' journey began 9 1/2 years ago, back when Pluto was still considered a full-fledged planet. But until New Horizons phoned home Tuesday night, there was no guarantee the spacecraft had buzzed the small, icy, faraway -- but no longer unknown -- world. But he had cautioned everyone to "stay tuned" until New Horizons contacted home. It takes 4 1/2 hours for signals to travel one-way between New Horizons and Earth. The New Horizons team kept up a confirmation countdown, noting via Twitter when. Source: www.foxnews.com
