Also called:
Pioneer/Jupiter
Date of launch (location):
March 2, 1972 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:
Atlas-Centaur
Weight (kg):
258
Shape:
hexagonal with a dish antenna
Dimensions (m):
2.9 height
2.7 diameter at widest point
Power source:
AgCd battery and 4 RTGs
Responsible NASA center:
Ames Research Center
Prime contractor:
TRW Systems Group, Inc.
Project manager:
Charles F. Hall
Project scientist:
John H. Wolfe
Objectives:
To study interplanetary
characteristics (asteroid/meteoroid flux and velocities,
solar plasma, magnetic fields, cosmic rays) beyond 2 AU;
determine characteristics of Jupiter (magnetic fields,
atmosphere, radiation balance, temperature distribution,
photopolarization).
Experiments (responsible
institution):
.
Magnetic fields (JPL)
Plasma (ARC)
Charged particle composition
(University of Chicago)
Cosmic ray energy spectra
(GSFC)
Jovian trapped radiation (University
of California San Diego)
Jovian charged particles (University
of Iowa)
Ultraviolet photometry (University of
Southern California)
Imagery photopolarimetry (University
of Arizona and Dudley Observatory)
Jovian infrared thermal structure
(California Institute of Technology)
Asteroid/meteoroid astronomy (General
Electric Co.)
Meteoroid detection (LARC)
S-band occultation (JPL)
Celestial mechanics (JPL)
Results:
Highly successful; returned huge
amounts of scientific data and closeup photos of the distant
planets. Crossed the orbit of Mars May 1972, traveled
through the asteroid belt, July 1972-February 1973; sent
first images of Jupiter November 1973; encountered Jupiter
December 3, 1973 (closest approach 130 000 km; took 641 days
to travel 826 million km); crossed Saturn's orbit February
1976; crossed the orbit of Uranus July 1979; crossed
Neptune's orbit May 1983; left solar system June 13, 1983,
heading for the star Aldebaran of the constellation
Taurus.
Reference: NASA, "Pioneer 10 Mission Report," S-811-72-06, Feb. 23, 1972.