Although New Horizons‘ main target is Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, it will have plenty of opportunities to do some science along the way. The spacecraft is now just a few weeks away from its closest approach to the gas giant Jupiter, where it will capture some images and gather science data but also receive a much needed speed boost. New Horizons will reach Jupiter on February 28, 2007, passing as close as 2,3 million km away from the planet’s centre. The spacecraft is expected to make 700 observations of Jupiter and its moons during the flyby. Jupiter’s gravity will accelerate New Horizons towards Pluto, giving it an additional 14.500 km/h velocity. The stage will then be set for New Horizons to reach Pluto in 2015.
Zooming to Pluto, New Horizons Closes in on Jupiter