Film Lens
This documentary follows the New Horizons spacecraft on its historic mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt. It details the spacecraft's journey of 3 billion miles over 9 years, emphasizing the challenges and risks involved, such as the potential for catastrophic collisions with small objects in space. The film captures the tension and excitement of the mission, highlighting the importance of getting the data right on the first attempt due to the spacecraft's limited operational window during its flyby of Pluto.
The film also goes into the scientific significance of Pluto, describing it as a geologic time capsule that can provide insights into the formation of our solar system. It discusses the role of Pluto's moon, Charon, in understanding the planet's history, including theories about its violent formation through a collision with another planet. The documentary presents the mission as a testament to human curiosity and engineering prowess, culminating in the groundbreaking discoveries made by New Horizons.
Why Watch
- •See the New Horizons spacecraft launch on a historic mission.
- •Find out how Pluto's geology differs from Earth's.
- •Meet scientists analyzing Pluto's oversized moon, Charon.
Did You Know
•New Horizons traveled 3 billion miles to reach Pluto.
•The spacecraft has been in a state of suspended animation for nearly 2/3 of its journey.
•Charon, Pluto's moon, is about the size of Texas and 10% the mass of Pluto.
•New Horizons had 18 maps since its launch, with each map lasting between 36 to 202 days.
Perfect For
Space explorationPlanetary scienceAstronomy enthusiasts