The Pioneer 10 space probe has sent its last signal. Originally launched on March 2, 1972, Pioneer 10 was the first spacecraft to pass through the asteroid belt and swing by Jupiter. It’s original mission was to last 21 months, but lasted for nearly 30 years. In 1983, it was the first man-made object to pass the orbit of Pluto and leave the solar system.
The last signal was received on January 22, 2003 at an estimated distance “of 7.6 billion miles from Earth, or 82 times the nominal distance between the Sun and the Earth. At that distance, it takes more than 11 hours and 20 minutes for the radio signal, traveling at the speed of light, to reach the Earth.”
“Pioneer 10 explored Jupiter, traveled twice as far as the most distant planet in our solar system, and as Earth’s first emissary into space, is carrying a gold plaque that describes what we look like, where we are, and the date when the mission began. Pioneer 10 will continue to coast silently as a ghost ship into interstellar space, heading generally for the red star Aldebaran, which forms the eye of the constellation Taurus.”
Happy sailing Pioneer 10!