-- Pluto has a 248-year-long elliptical orbit around the sun . Earth 's first probe to Pluto is beginning its long approach with the icy world . The New Horizons spacecraft launched in 2006 and has been traveling at a speed of about 30,500 mph ( 35,600 km / hour ) since it entered orbit around Pluto.
Earth 's first probe to Pluto is beginning its long approach with the icy world . The New Horizons spacecraft launched in 2006 and has been traveling at a speed of about 30,500 mph ( 35,600 km / hour ) since it entered orbit around Pluto.