The Year of Pluto - New Horizons Documentary Brings Humanity Closer to the Edge of the Solar System

New Horizons is the first mission to the Kuiper Belt, a gigantic zone of icy bodies and mysterious small objects orbiting beyond Neptune. This region also is known as the “third” zone of our solar system, beyond the inner rocky planets and outer gas giants. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Maryland, designed, built and operates the New Horizons spacecraft, and manages the mission for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The Year of Pluto - NASA New Horizons is a one hour documentary which takes on the hard science and gives us answers to how the mission came about and why it matters. Interviews with Dr. James Green, John Spencer, Fran Bagenal, Mark Showalter and others share how New Horizons will answer many questions. New Horizons is part of the New Frontiers Program, managed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

[MichaelPowers]

This is humanity at its best. It is said that civilization truly exists when old men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit under. To spend ones life and career endeavoring to answer questions they know may not be answered their lifetimes is a noble act, and one worthy of undertaking. Not only because of the benefit to those yet unborn, but because of all the answers found along the way. Often answers to questions we had not yet thought to ask.

[randy]

If you attempt to Navigate a Space Vehicle like this one to fly at precise speeds and VERY precise trajectories to use the associated G forces provided by Jupiter and THEN to actually rendezvous with Pluto so precisely is a "Math Problem" that no one man could possibly do.  It must have taken a Team of PhD's with Mathematics and Physics' Degrees just to do the Navigation alone.  I honestly think that the Navigation was harder than designing and building the actual Craft.  Mankind is truly amazing!  99.99% of Men and Women couldn't even comprehend the Mathematics of such a precise Navigational Problem.  Imagine if YOUR Math Professor assigned you a weekend homework problem to send a craft to one of the Moons of Saturn!  Incredible Mathematics and mind numbing to the average Human...

[ElConquistador]

29:45
Ann Harch said that no spacecraft in our lifetime will go back to Pluto. What!? Really!?? Then let this be a reminder that we need to explore in Space as much as possible! Science is awesome!

[randy]

Being an American "child of the 50's" I think I was born at the perfect time!  Sputnik went up the month before I was born and I followed the Astronauts and their Missions throughout Childhood, culminating with the Moon Landings when I was 12.  Now I've worked for an Aerospace plant for 35+ years and our Company has had parts on ALL space missions from Mercury Program through every Shuttle Mission.  As for Space Exploration I may have been born at the best times we may ever see, even if we go "Inter-Stellar" after I'm gone.  I hope to live long enough for us to fully explore the Oort Cloud which will be terrific compared to Pluto "being the edge of the Solar System" when I was born.  Thanks to NASA and ALL Nations with Space Programs!!

[aluvsive]

who ever edited the audio needs to lay off the stock music next time. this is borderline unwatchable.

[globalteenteamllc]

Amazing! Such a huge accomplishment😃
This was an extremely informative program, NASA. Honestly, it wasn't long enough. We, collectively, have so many questions and are eagerly awaiting the outcome.

[ElConquistador]

This is one of the most advanced technological devices we have created. It also only runs on about a 60 watt lightbulb when working in tandem with all other instruments?! Amazing!

[LDLK]

I saw about the picture of pluto and I think it's really awesome like everything about this planet. Considering this planet was the farthest planet we know so far (I know there are/could be another planets). I feel I'm happy enough I'm alive and able to see a picture of pluto. It's a bless.

[cybertree]

I remember I was GOING THROUGH PUBERTY when they first launched this mission!

I LITERALLY made myself FORGET so I didn't have to excitedly wait so long, AND IT WORKED! A decade later, I was reminded and we're now witnessing the *MOST IMPORTANT SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF THE DECADE!!!*

[matjur]

Its been a long time since I've had 'the 'good' exitement shivers. This event makes up for the waiting. Another six days, can't wait. Good luck to everyone and everything involved in this mission.

[kjf]

I am on the edge of my chair. I have been waiting for this my whole life. Sail on New Horizons.

[MultiDonard]

good luck you little spacecraft as you go on your journey into deep space

[tvittori]

Fantastic. What a great time to be alive and to have seen this event unfold. Looking forward to many more.

[louispecoul]

Can't express adequately enough the excitement in anticipation of Pluto

[nuestrafamilia]

NASA again presents the wonderful works that they strive to educate us with. Keep up the great work. I hope we can see more of our youth involved with these future plans (for them). I cant wait for next month! I for see YouTube posting NASA's next video REALLY SOON with close up pictures of Pluto!!!

[rupertpitt]

A must see about space exploration and human ingenuity.

[nurfatinnabilahahmadyani]

Hats off to all the researchers and the whole team!

Found this on Twitter: "For perspective, New Horizons cost as much as 2 F-35 fighter jets, or about 5 hours of Social Security."

Just if humans are wise enough to invest money in space exploration rather than the military. Just my 2 cents.

[tr]

Thanks to the guys at New Horizons, they should all be proud of themselves. Can't wait to see what data comes back!

[Thaumazo]

Aww hell yes. A full length NASA documentary of New Horizons! I've been waiting for something like this in my Subs to pop up.

[tori_canoli_]

is it bad i almost started crying?? i dont know pluto is just so cute and he has a heart on him and i cant