Pioneer 10 was launched on March 3rd, 1972 and passed by Jupiter on December 3rd, 1973 at a
distance of 200,000 kilometers. Pioneer 10 carried Fifteen experiments were
carried to study the interplanetary and planetary magnetic fields; solar wind
parameters; cosmic rays; transition region of the heliosphere; neutral hydrogen
abundance; distribution, size, mass, flux, and velocity of dust particles;
Jovian aurorae; Jovian radio waves; atmosphere of Jupiter and some of its
satellites, particularly Io; and to photograph Jupiter and its satellites. Further
scientific information was obtained from the tracking and occultation data.
Pioneer 11
Pioneer 11 was launched on April 6th, 1973, passed by Jupiter on December 4th, 1974 at a
distance of 34,000 kilometers and, after using Jupiter’s gravity field to alter
its velocity and trajectory, passed by Saturn on September 1, 1979 at a distance of 21,000 kilometers.
Pioneer 10 carried the same experiments as Pioneer 11 to study Jupiter and
Saturn as well as a low-sensitivity fluxgate magnetometer.
Voyager
The two Voyager spacecraft were originally designed to
perform close-up studies of the atmospheres, magnetospheres, rings, and
satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. However, following its planned encounter with
Saturn, Voyager 2's planetary mission was extended, and it was placed on a
trajectory to allow flybys of Uranus and Neptune. Between them, Voyager 1 and 2
made numerous discoveries, including new moons about several of the planets,
Uranus' unique magnetic field, and the presence of volcanic activity on Io.
Following their final planetary encounters, the vehicles began the Voyager
Interstellar Mission, which will measure interstellar fields, particles, and
waves to the outer limits of the Sun's sphere of influence, and possibly
beyond. Both spacecraft will eventually depart our solar system and will travel
towards other star systems. Each vehicle carries a gold phonograph record
called "Sounds of Earth", bearing messages, sounds, and pictures from
our planet as greetings to any species who recovers the spacecraft.
Voyager 1
Voyager 1 was launched on September 5th, 1977, flew by Jupiter on March 5th, 1979 and flew by
Saturn on November 12, 1980.
Voyager 1 is now passing the outer edges of the Solar System and is still transmitting
data.
Voyager 2
Voyager 2 was launched on August 20th, 1977, flew by Jupiter on November 9th, 1979, flew
by Saturn on August 26th,
1981, flew by Uranus on January
24th, 1986, and flew by Neptune
on August 29th, 1989.
Voyager 2 is now passing the outer edges of the Solar System and is still
transmitting data.