Animation of the New Horizons space probe as it passes the dwarf planet Pluto and its largest moon Charon. New Horizons was launched in January 2006, and arrives at Pluto on 14th July 2015. It was the fastest object ever launched from Earth. It will speed past Pluto at a closest distance of some 10, 000 kilometres, traveling at velocity of nearly 14 kilometres per second relative to the dwarf planet. It will spend the time around its closest approach mapping the surface of Pluto and Charon, studying their atmospheres (if any) and trying to analyse the chemical make-up of the bodies. After passing Pluto, New Horizons will continue into the Kuiper Belt, and if suitable bodies on its path are found, study those as well.