On January 19, 2006, the New Horizons spacecraft launched from Earth to explore the distant reaches of the Solar System and reach Pluto. After more than nine years of travel, it arrived at its destination on July 14, 2015, and sent back the first close-up images of Pluto, revealing its icy mountains and unusual landscapes.
For Alan Stern, the mission's principal investigator at NASA, the most memorable aspect of this achievement was not just the scientific discovery, but also the joy the mission brought to people. Even years later, strangers approach him at airports to thank him for his work.
New Horizons continues its journey through the outer reaches of the Kuiper Belt. It sends signals back to Earth every day, and scientists hope the spacecraft will be able to transmit images for another 15 years or so. Stern says that in a few years, the spacecraft will leave the Kuiper Belt, provided the region turns out not to be larger than currently believed.
Stern considers Pluto a planet, emphasizing that most planetary scientists also use the term for smaller planets. The word "dwarf," he explains, simply refers to an object's small size, just as the Sun is classified as a dwarf star without ceasing to be a star.
What inspires the scientist most about exploring space is the opportunity to create a better future for people and society. He believes that humanity may discover life in space, perhaps even within our own Solar System, during our lifetime, but doing so requires actual data. Stern also does not rule out the possibility that many other forms of intelligent life exist in the universe. Until research provides clear answers, we still do not know how life originated or how widespread it is.
According to Stern, human curiosity has long driven technological progress. Space exploration has helped advance satellite communications, monitor arms control, and study changes in Earth's atmosphere caused by pollution. Stern hopes that in the future, a significant portion of industry could be moved into space, helping to better protect our planet.
Asked about the greatest scientific achievement of the 21st century, he answered that it was probably the creation of artificial intelligence.
The exploration of Pluto showed that our understanding of distant celestial bodies can change when we observe them up close. The New Horizons mission also serves as a reminder that scientific results are not just for specialists: they can spark interest among the wider public and encourage people to ask new questions about the universe.
One important distinction stands out in Stern's remarks: the possibility of life existing in space is not yet proof. The scientist considers the discovery of life possible, while acknowledging that data is needed. This is the central challenge of scientific exploration: an intriguing hypothesis still needs to be tested through observation. Meanwhile, the practical benefits of space exploration, from communications to monitoring changes in Earth's atmosphere, show that this search is also connected to our everyday lives.
