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Space probe
Pioneer 10
Pioneer 10 was the first space probe to reach Jupiter. Today it flies silently through space, far away – with a picture of humans on board, as a greeting to aliens.
Fact file
- Type
- Space probe
- Launch
- 3 March 1972
Interesting facts about Pioneer 10
- In 1973 Pioneer 10 was the first probe to reach Jupiter – and the first to cross the Asteroid Belt.
- On board is a gold-plated plaque with a drawing of two humans and the way to Earth – as a greeting to aliens.
- It has been silent since 2003. It is heading towards the star Aldebaran, which it will reach in about 2 million years.
Frequently asked questions about Pioneer 10
When was Pioneer 10 launched?
The mission began on 3 March 1972.
Which celestial bodies has Pioneer 10 visited?
Pioneer 10 visited Jupiter. All milestones with their dates are listed further down this page.
The mission
A small NASA probe, built to test whether it is possible to survive the Asteroid Belt and Jupiter's radiation at all.
Technology and flight
Power came from radioisotope batteries, because sunlight is no longer enough that far out.
Discoveries
It took the first close-ups of Jupiter and measured its mighty radiation belts.
For comparison
In 1983 it became the first human-made object to fly beyond the orbit of Neptune.
Mission milestones
- Launch at Earth
Launch on an Atlas-Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral.
- Jupiter at Jupiter
First flyby of Jupiter by a probe.
- Beyond Neptune's orbit
Pioneer 10 becomes the first object to leave the realm of the planets.
- Last signal
The last, very faint signal reaches Earth. Since then it has been flying on in silence.
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