Pioneer 10

About

Pioneer 10 is a historic NASA spacecraft launched on March 2, 1972, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Its primary mission was to explore Jupiter, its satellites, and its magnetic field. Pioneer 10 achieved several firsts, including being the first spacecraft to traverse the asteroid belt and fly by Jupiter. During its journey, it captured over 500 images of Jupiter and its moons, providing valuable insights into the planet's atmosphere and magnetic field. Pioneer 10 far exceeded its planned 21-month mission, operating for over 30 years. It became the first human-made object to cross Neptune's orbit and enter interstellar space. The spacecraft was powered by radioisotope thermal generators, allowing it to function at great distances from the Sun. Its final signal was received on January 23, 2003, from 7.6 billion miles away. Pioneer 10 paved the way for future outer solar system missions, leaving a lasting legacy in space exploration.