NASA's New Horizons probe launched 19 January 2006 received a Gravity Assist from Jupiter on 28 February 2007 and is now set on course to rendezvous with Pluto and Charon on 14 July 2005. The mission parameters were set before Pluto was demoted from being a planet and Eris included as a Dwarf Planet.
Wikipedia reports:
"After passing by Pluto, New Horizons will continue further into the Kuiper Belt. Mission planners are now searching for one or more additional Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) on the order of 50–100 km (30–60 mi) in diameter for flybys similar to the spacecraft's Plutonian encounter. As maneuvering capability is limited, this phase of the mission is contingent on finding suitable KBOs close to New Horizons' flight path, ruling out any possibility for a planned flyby of Eris, a trans-Neptunian object larger than Pluto."
KEY MISSION DATES
June 9, 2008 — The probe will pass Saturn's orbit.
March 5, 2011 — The probe will pass Uranus' orbit.
August 1, 2014 — The probe will pass Neptune's orbit.
July 14, 2015 — Flyby of Pluto around 11:59 UTC at 11096 km, 13.780 km/s
July 14, 2015 — Flyby of Charon around 12:13 UTC at 26927 km, 13.875 km/s
2016-2020 — possible flyby of one or more Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs).
PRIMARY MISSION OBJECTIVES (REQUIRED)
(1) Characterize the global geology and morphology of Pluto and Charon
(2) Map chemical compositions of Pluto and Charon surfaces
(3) Characterize the neutral (non-ionized) atmosphere of Pluto and its escape rate
Loss of any of these objectives will constitute a failure of the mission.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES (EXPECTED)
(1) Characterize the time variability of Pluto's surface and atmosphere
(2) Image select Pluto and Charon areas in stereo
(3) Map the terminators (day/night border) of Pluto and Charon with high resolution
(4) Map the chemical compositions of select Pluto and Charon areas with high resolution
(5) Characterize Pluto's ionosphere, and its interaction with the solar wind
(6) Search for neutral species such as H2, HCN, hydrocarbons, and other nitriles in the atmosphere
(7) Search for any Charon atmosphere
(8) Determine bolometric bond albedos for Pluto and Charon
(9) Map surface temperatures of Pluto and Charon
It is expected, but not demanded, that most of these objectives will be met.
TERTIARY OBJECTIVES (DESIRED)
(1) Characterize the energetic particle environment at Pluto and Charon
(2) Refine bulk parameters (radii, masses) and orbits of Pluto and Charon
(3) Search for additional moons, and any rings
These objectives may be attempted, though they may be skipped in favor of the above objectives.
You can keep up to date about the progress of the mission from the second link below.
2007-07-24 07:09:25
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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There is no satellite or space craft on its way to Eris.
So far nobody has even proposed launching one.
2007-07-24 05:16:12
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answer #3
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answered by campbelp2002 7
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