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However, earlier this year, the space community was taken aback by news of budget cuts that threatened to halt New Horizons' operations by 2024. In a surprising turn, NASA has now announced an extension of the mission, securing at least five more years of funding. This decision ensures that New Horizons can continue collecting valuable data, offering scientists the opportunity to explore the outer reaches of space and gather insights into the composition and geology of Pluto and its neighboring objects. The extension illustrates NASA's commitment to maximizing the scientific return of its missions despite financial hurdles.