NASA spacecraft makes historic flyby of Pluto
Laurel
An unmanned NASA spacecraft whizzed by Pluto today, making its closest approach in the climax of a decade-long journey to explore the dwarf planet for the first time, the US space agency said.
"The New Horizons spacecraft passes its closest approach mark at Pluto after a three billion mile journey," a NASA commentator said as spectators waved flags in a crowded room at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Center outside the US capital, Washington.
The flyby happened at 7:49 am (1149 GMT), with the spacecraft running on auto-pilot.
It was to pass by Pluto at a distance of 7,767 miles (12,500 kilometers).
"It is a moment of celebration because we have done the anchor leg," said New Horizons principal investigator Alan Stern.
"We have completed the initial reconnaissance of the solar system, an endeavor started under President (John F.) Kennedy more than 50 years ago, continuing today under President (Barack) Obama."
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