NASA's New Horizons space probe has started its initial observations of the Plutonian system ahead of the probe's arrival in July as the first-ever human object flyby of the dwarf planet.

NASA said the probe is expected to approach Pluto around July 14. The spacecraft was in hibernation for most of its journey. It finally woke up from its final hibernation on Dec. 6, 2014. New Horizons has covered three billion miles in its journey since it was launched in January 2006.

Like Us on Facebook

"We've completed the longest journey any craft has flown from Earth to reach its primary target, and we are ready to begin exploring," said Alan Stern, New Horizons' principal investigator from Southwest Research Institute.

Using its Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager, New Horizons will begin taking pictures of Pluto starting this Jan. 25. NASA believes the pictures will play a significant role in guiding the probe while it covers the remaining 135 million miles to the dwarf planet. The photos will also aid mission scientists in better understanding the dynamics of Pluto's moons.

The probe will examine Pluto's biggest moon ofCharon, and its other moons. The spacecraft has seven instruments for studying the dwarf planet. These instruments include a compact multicolor camera, a high resolution telescope, two powerful particle spectrometers, advanced imaging infrared and ultraviolet spectrometers and a space-dust detector.

New Horizons' equipment is powered by a single radioisotope thermoelectric generator and consumes less electricity than two 100 watt light bulbs.

The mission is expected to last until 2026. Astronomers hope the mission can be stretched till 2030, that is, if the instruments on the spacecraft can last that long.

TagsNASA, Pluto, dwarf planet, spacecraft, New Horizons, space probe mission, space exploration, solar system, planets, Pluto moons, Charon