New Horizons REX Pluto Encounter Calibrated Data

NASA's New Horizons mission collected calibrated radio science data during its Pluto encounter. The dataset includes observations from the Approach, Encounter, Departure, and Transition phases, with prime science radiometry and occultation observations from July 14, 2015 through late October 2016. This is Version 1.0, completing the Pluto mission phase deliveries for the Radio Science Experiment (REX) instrument.

Use Cases

• Analyze Pluto's atmospheric structure based on occultation observations
• Calibrate radio science instruments using known radio sources and cold sky measurements
• Study signal propagation and attenuation during the planetary flyby
• Validate operational readiness tests (ORTs) and internal calibration patterns

Strengths

• Data covers the full Pluto encounter mission phase from January 2015 to October 2016
• Includes calibrated observations from known radio sources, Jupiter, and cold sky measurements
• Version 1.0 represents a complete delivery for the REX instrument's Pluto phase

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Data taken by the New Horizons Radio Science Experiment (REX) instrument during mission phases.

Time Range

Approach (Jan-Jul 2015), Encounter (14 July 2015), Departure and Transition through late October 2016.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 10:44:52.589052; freshness should be verified