The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum 2016 Trophy for Current Achievement was awarded to the team responsible for NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft. New Horizons accomplished the first direct investigation of Kuiper Belt objects at the outer margins of the solar system and produced astonishing new images and scientific data.

The achievements of the mission are a direct result of the talent, experience, and dedication of Alan Stern, the principal investigator, and the entire New Horizons team, which began working on the project more than 15 years ago. The mission will continue to give fundamental insights into the origins and evolution of the solar system.

Learn more: airandspace.si.edu/events/trophy/