New Horizons' Future in Jeopardy Due to NASA's Plans

NASA is considering turning the New Horizons spacecraft into a heliospheric science probe, which would stop further planned planetary exploration of objects in the Kuiper Belt. The New Horizons mission has been performing Kuiper Belt object observations and has received a good recent senior science review. The spacecraft is well placed to capture views of Uranus and Neptune and will continue its planned studies of the heliosphere. The New Horizons team is working to get the planetary component extended and keep experienced mission scientists in place.