NASA spacecraft 'phones home' after historic journey
An unmanned NASA spacecraft has sent a signal back to Earth after making a successful fly-by past the most distant world ever studied by mankind. Around 10 hours after reaching the icy world of Ultima Thule, which lies one billion miles beyond Pluto, in the early part of New Year's Day, the New Horizons vessel got in touch with scientists back home.The "phone home" signal took far longer to reach its destination than your average WhatsApp message because of just how far it had to travel, with Ultima Thule lying four billion miles from Earth.It is roughly 20 miles long and shaped like a giant peanut. Image: NASA published this image showing off the shape of Ultima Thule Image: An artist's impression ...
