Efforts Intensify to Save NASA's New Horizons Mission from Impending Shutdown

The New Horizons spacecraft, which has already made history by flying past Pluto and Arrokoth, is now in danger of being terminated by NASA. The agency has said that it will end funding for the mission after September 2024, unless there is a major change in plans.

This decision has been met with widespread disapproval from the planetary science community, who argue that New Horizons is still capable of making important scientific discoveries. The mission has already provided us with a wealth of information about the Kuiper Belt, and it could continue to do so for many years to come.

There are a few reasons why NASA might be considering ending the New Horizons mission. One reason is that the mission is becoming increasingly expensive. It costs about $10 million per year to operate New Horizons, and that number is likely to go up as the spacecraft gets older and more difficult to maintain.

Another reason is that NASA is facing budget constraints. The agency is currently funding a number of other ambitious missions, such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the Mars Sample Return mission. These missions are also expensive, and NASA may not have the resources to continue funding New Horizons as well.

Whatever the reason, the decision to end the New Horizons mission would be a major setback for planetary science. New Horizons is a unique and valuable asset, and it would be a shame to see it decommissioned before it has had a chance to fulfill its full potential.