The scientific significance of New Horizons was great. Up to this point, we had uncovered several mysteries about the planets in the solar system. However, the dwarf planets and smaller objects in our solar system’s outer reaches had great potential for scientific discovery as well. Pluto was chief among these. Specifically, the mission of New Horizons was to explore the Pluto – Charon system, as well as some of their Kuiper Belt cousins (New Frontiers Program, 2015). More specifically, the mission was to investigate the atmospheric and geological composition and properties of Pluto and Charon, as well as partially map out the surfaces of both bodies (New Frontiers Program, 2015). The latter of these garnered most of the public following of the New Horizons mission.
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Firstly, considering the journey would take almost ten years, the spacecraft would have to be capable of internally powering its operations as the Sun’s intensity fell off (Howell, 2015). The electronics on board would have to be designed reliably to mitigate the risks posed by potential hazards, such as cosmic rays, and debris (Howell, 2015). Considerations would also have to be made for the data management and transport systems on board, given the vast distances between the control team and itself (Howell,
Firstly, considering the journey would take almost ten years, the spacecraft would have to be capable of internally powering its operations as the Sun’s intensity fell off (Howell, 2015). The electronics on board would have to be designed reliably to mitigate the risks posed by potential hazards, such as cosmic rays, and debris (Howell, 2015). Considerations would also have to be made for the data management and transport systems on board, given the vast distances between the control team and itself (Howell,