New Horizons』 X-band communications system is the spacecraft』s link to Earth, returning science data, exchanging commands and status information, and allowing for precise radiometric tracking through NASA』s Deep Space Network of antenna stations. （大意：新地平線號上的X波段通信系統是探測器與地球之間的紐帶，可以發送科學數據，交換指令與狀態，與NASA的深空站的天線配合可以實現精密跟蹤）
The system includes two broad-beam, low-gain antennas on opposite sides of the spacecraft for near-Earth communications: a 30-centimeter (12-inch) diameter medium-gain dish antenna and a large, 2.1-meter (83-inch) diameter high-gain dish antenna. The antenna assembly on the spacecraft』s top deck consists of the high, medium, and forward low-gain antennas; this stacked design provides a clear field of view for the low-gain antenna and structural support for the high and medium-gain dishes. Operators aim the antennas by turning the spacecraft toward Earth. The high-gain beam is only 0.3 degrees wide, so it must point directly at Earth. The medium-gain beam is wider (14 degrees), so it is used in conditions when the pointing might not be as accurate. All antennas have Right Hand Circular and Left Hand Circular polarization feeds. （大意：四副天線：兩副低增益天線，一邊一個，用於離地球較近時的通信；一副30cm的中增益天線；一副2.1米的高增益天線。探測器頂部的天線裝置是低、中、高增益三副天線疊在一起組成的，可以同時保證低增益天線最好的視場與中、高增益天線的結構強度。探測器可以旋轉本體使天線指向地球。高增益天線的波束角只有0.3度，必須精確指向。中增益天線的波束角較寬，為14度，用於無法精確指向的場合。所有天線都有右/左圓極化饋源。）
Data rates will depend on spacecraft distance, the power used to send the data and the size of the antenna on the ground. For most of the mission, New Horizons will use its high-gain antenna to exchange data with the Deep Space Network』s largest antennas, 70 meters across. Even then, because New Horizons will be more than 3 billion miles from Earth and radio signals will take more than four hours to reach the spacecraft, it can send information at about 700 bits per second. It will take nine months to send the full set of Pluto encounter science data back to Earth. （大意：數據率與探測器和地球之間的距離，發射機功率和地面天線尺寸有關，一般用高增益天線向DSN的70米天線發送數據。即使這樣，數據率只有700bps。譯者註：目前報道是1.68kbps，可能是地面上的軟硬體、探測器的軟體都升級過？）
New Horizons will fly the most advanced digital receiver ever used for deep space communications. Advances include regenerative ranging and low power – the receiver consumes 66% less power than current deep space receivers. The Radio Science Experiment (REX) to examine Pluto』s atmosphere is also integrated into the communications subsystem. The entire telecom system on New Horizons is redundant, with two of everything except the high gain antenna structure itself. （大意：新地平線上裝有史上最先進的數字信號接收器，表現在使用了「再生式」測距技術及其低功耗。用於探測冥王星大氣的裝置REX也集成在通訊子系統內。所有的通信設備都是雙重冗餘備份，只有那個大鍋的結構是獨一份。）
