To reach its primary target, the New Horizons spacecraft has traveled for more than 9 years -  going further than any previous space mission.

The flight through the Pluto system is planned to begin in just a few days on July 14, and the craft has already sent us the clearest images of the former planet we have ever received.

It will complete the initial reconnaissance of the classical solar system, expanding the frontiers of knowledge, capability and opportunity in space.

During the mission, New Horizons will pass Pluto at an altitude of a mere 12,500km, which should provide us with detailed photos of its surface.

Leo Enright spoke to Newstalk's Futureproof from Mission Control.....