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Bruce Murray Space Image Library

Pioneer 10 trajectory

Pioneer 10 trajectory
Pioneer 10 trajectory On Feb. 15, 1973, Pioneer 10 was the first spacecraft to pass through the asteroid belt located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. After the successful traverse of the asteroid belt, considered a spectacular achievement of its time, Pioneer 10 ultimately became the first spacecraft to make direct observations and take close-up pictures of Jupiter. This artist's rendering depicts the spacecraft's trajectory. NASA/Ames Research Center/Rick Guidice