First flyby of an object beyond Neptune

NASA's New Horizons spacecraft achieved a historic milestone by conducting the first flyby of an object beyond Neptune, specifically Pluto and its moons. This event marked the first exploration of the Kuiper Belt, a region of the solar system beyond the orbit of Neptune that is populated with numerous small icy bodies. The flyby provided unprecedented data about Pluto, revealing its complex geology, atmosphere, and potential for hosting conditions suitable for life. The mission was significant as it represented the last original encounter with one of the nine major planets recognized before the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet. The data collected during this flyby has contributed to a deeper understanding of the outer solar system and the formation of planetary bodies, enhancing our knowledge of planetary science and the dynamics of celestial objects in the Kuiper Belt.