Radio Science Experiment( REX): It will analyze the atmosphere of Pluto and also will probe if atmosphere exists around Charon, Pluto’ s moon. It will analyze the temperature variation in Pluto’ s and its moon’ s atmosphere. It will be the first attempt using“ up-link radio experiment” using radio signals from earth instead of usual down-link radio experiment.
Long Range Reconnaissance Imager( LORRI): It is the eagle eye of spacecraft. It is a high resolution telescopic camera. The clear images from this camera will enable detailed study of craters on the surface of Pluto also other objects of Kuiper belt when it travel beyond Pluto.
Solar wind Around Pluto( SWAP): It will be studying the effects of solar winds in Pluto’ s atmosphere. The continuous flow of charged particles from sun is called solar wind. It is observed that about 75 kilograms of atmospheric particles are being blown out of Pluto’ s atmosphere every second due to the feeble gravitational force( about 1 / 16 th of earth’ s gravitational force). The escaping gas particles are in the form of neutral atoms and molecules, which acquire increased charge due to ionization from ultra violet rays of the sun.
Pluto energetic Particle Spectrometer investigation( PEPSSI): The purpose of this instrument is to study the density of Pluto’ s atmosphere, the volume of escaping neutral atoms and the nature of the charged particles. It is a spectrometer to detect the volume of escaping nitrogen, carbon monoxide and methane gases from Pluto’ s atmosphere.
The Venetia Burney Student Dust Counter( SDC): It is an instrument developed by the students of University of Colorado recruited by The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics( LASP). The goal of the Student Dust Counter( SDC) is to collect data, including count and mass, on the dust peppering it during New Horizon’ s journey across the solar system on its way to Pluto. Dust in space is made up of tiny bits of asteroids and comets that are left over from the formation of the solar system. These dust grains can help scientists answer questions about star and nebulae formation, as well as many other processes going on in the universe. Grains of dust in space are tiny, typically about the same diameter as a human hair. Dust grains can be made up of many different elements, including carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, silicon, and even water ice.
The name of the equipment is given in memory of the 11 year old Venetia Burney, who named planet“ Pluto”.
The New Horizon will continue its journey providing additional unexpected information about the interstellar medium between starts.
The happy moment when New Horizon passes at 12500 km distance close to Pluto.