New Horizons KBO Search

Introduction

After its July 2015 Pluto flyby, the New Horizons spacecraft will continue into the Kuiper Belt, and we expect to be able to fly by one or more additional Kuiper Belt Objects. Statistically, there are likely to several KBOs larger than 10s of km that the spacecraft can reach. But first we have to find them. This site contains information for those interested in participating in the KBO search.

Timetable

2009 - 2010: Define the search strategy, select search facilities, request telescope time
2011 - 2013: Perform the search, identify a short list of targetable KBOs
2013 - 2014: Follow-up observations, finalize targets
2015: New Horizons spacecraft KBO targeting maneuver following the Pluto flyby
2018 - 2020: Likely KBO flyby dates

Useful Information

Table of the location and 1-sigma size of the KBO search field vs. time. Non-resonant orbits are assumed.

John Spencer's presentation at the 2009 DPS workshop, describing the encounter probabilities, search field location relative to the Milky Way, the preliminary 2004-2005 Subaru search, and potential facilities useful in the upcoming full search.