BEIJING, Dec. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- New Horizons, the world's first spacecraft bound for Pluto, was moved to Launch Complex 41, where it will be installed atop an Atlas 5 rocket.

This is an artist's concept of the New Horizons spacecraft during its planned encounter with Pluto and its moon, Charon. (discovery.com)

    New Horizons is the centerpiece of a $650 million mission to explore the last of the solar system's original nine planets.

    NASA moved the interplanetary spaceship in the dark early Saturday morning under tight security. The reason for moving the spacecraft in darkness is to protect sensitive components from sunlight, said George Diller, a spokesman for the Kennedy Space Center.

    The nuclear generator that will power the craft's systems will not be installed until about three days before the launch, now scheduled for no earlier than Jan. 17.

    The launch was originally set for Jan. 11, but NASA decided extra time was needed for inspections after discovering a setback involving the rocket. NASA continues to aim to launch the probe sometime before Feb. 14.

    Further delays are problematic because if the New Horizons probe blasts off later in the launch window, it can take several years longer to complete the 4-billion-mile journey to Pluto. If the mission does not launch by Valentine's Day, the New Horizons probe will have to wait until 2007 to start its trip. Enditem

    (Agencies)