Channel: Scientific American Space Lab

Category: Science & Technology

Tags: jupiter (planet)astronomy (field of study)pioneer 10 (satellite)solar system (star system)

Description: In December 1973 Pioneer 10, NASA's first spacecraft to the outer planets and first to achieve escape velocity from the solar system, reached Jupiter. The probe took the first close-ups of the gas giant and its red spot, as well its moons Callisto, Ganymede and Europa. The craft was last heard from in 2003.