NASA Extends New Horizons Mission

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the first week of July 2016 gave its approval to the New Horizons mission to investigate a mysterious object deep in the Kuiper Belt.

The mission will explore the mysterious object known as 2014 MU69.

It is expected that the New Horizons will reach 2014 MU69 on 31 December 2018 or 1 January 2019.

About 2014 MU69:

• 2014 MU69 is an ancient object considered one of the early building blocks of the solar system.
• It was selected as New Horizons' target in August 2015.
• After four course changes in October and November 2015, New Horizons is on course toward 2014 MU69.
• 2014 MU69 was initially called PT1 and 1110113Y by the New Horizons and Hubble teams respectively.

Important question for Competitive Exam from this Current Affairs:

1. NASA extended its New Horizons missions to investigate a mysterious object deep in the ____________ belt. a)Kuiper b)Jupiter c)Ring-neck d)None of these