NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft took the first close-up look at Pluto on Tuesday morning after a 3-billion-mile trip that took more than nine and a half years.
The unmanned craft, which is the size of a baby grand piano, passed within 7,600 miles of the planet at about 7:50 am EST. If the flyby is successful – it should be confirmed Tuesday night – the craft could collect data that could make the case that Pluto is a planet. It was demoted in 2006.
Brands from various industries were over the moon on Tuesday about the historic mission and what it could reveal. Some tweeted in real-time about the approach as #PlutoFlyBy was a top trend.
Bayer
Today is the day! We can't wait to see some of the closest images of #PlutoFlyby today. #Science #Space http://t.co/M2Q2y7wM6T
— Bayer US (@BayerUS) July 14, 2015
GE
Looks like @NASANewHorizons was right on time. ?????? #PlutoFlyby
— General Electric (@generalelectric) July 14, 2015
Hostess
Pluto looks sweeter than we imagined. #PlutoFlyby pic.twitter.com/xg7Bjziplt
— Hostess Snacks (@Hostess_Snacks) July 14, 2015
JC Penney
No space equipment needed. #PlutoFlyby Now On Sale: http://t.co/gqBl6NC5wm pic.twitter.com/RMHKkNapxC
— JCPenney (@jcpenney) July 14, 2015
Merriam-Webster
#DYK that the word "satellite" originally used to mean a minion or sycophant? http://t.co/DkNy2i2CkW #PlutoFlyby
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) July 14, 2015
NASA
Pluto sent a love note back to Earth via @NASANewHorizons. This is the last image taken before today's #PlutoFlyby. pic.twitter.com/a2AE20LHcR
— NASA (@NASA) July 14, 2015
PlayStation
Excited to see the pictures from the #PlutoFlyBy with @NASANewHorizons because exploring space is AWESOME, right? pic.twitter.com/LclkHCEF4E
— PlayStation UK (@PlayStationUK) July 14, 2015
Smithsonian
In honor of #PlutoFlyby, we have a new #GoodThinking episode on gravity, inertia and common physics misconceptions: http://t.co/qHfLmE7447
— SmithsonianScienceEd (@SmithsonianScie) July 14, 2015
Toyota
Kirobo, our robot astronaut, is thrilled to hear about the #PlutoFlyby. >http://t.co/3S2KNzOl0E< pic.twitter.com/QZX7S2DIZQ
— ToyotaGB (@ToyotaGB) July 14, 2015
Turkish Airlines
9.5yrs just to #PlutoFlyBy? Did you know there’s 276 destinations to #LandOnEarth with Turkish Airlines TODAY! @NASA https://t.co/pb7ZAFA53q
— Turkish Airlines (@TurkishAirlines) July 14, 2015
US Air Force
Congrats @NASANewHorizons! We appreciate a good fly over. #PlutoFlyby #AirForce pic.twitter.com/gCCNEWxU25
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) July 14, 2015
