The exploration of Jupiter has been conducted via close observations by automated spacecraft. It began with the arrival of Pioneer 10 into the Jovian system in 1973, and, as of 2023, has continued with eight further spacecraft missions in the vicinity of Jupiter. All of these missions were undertaken by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and all but two were flybys taking detailed observations without landing or entering orbit. These probes make Jupiter the most visited of the Solar System's outer planets as all missions to the outer Solar System have used Jupiter flybys. On 5 July 2016, spacecraft Juno arrived and entered the planet's orbit—the second craft ever to do so. Sending a craft to Jupiter is difficult, mostly due to large fuel requirements and the effects of the planet's harsh radiation environment.
Artist's depiction of Pioneer 10, the first spacecraft to visit Jupiter
Jupiter as seen by the space probe Cassini
South pole (Juno; 2017)
Pioneer 10 was the first spacecraft to visit Jupiter.
Pioneer 10 is a NASA space probe launched in 1972 that completed the first mission to the planet Jupiter. Pioneer 10 became the first of five planetary probes and 11 artificial objects to achieve the escape velocity needed to leave the Solar System. This space exploration project was conducted by the NASA Ames Research Center in California. The space probe was manufactured by TRW Inc.
Artist's conception of the Pioneer 10 spacecraft
Pioneer 10 in the final stages of construction (December 1971)
Pioneer 10 tested in a space simulation chamber (January 1972)
Pioneer 10 on a Star-37E kick motor just prior to being encapsulated for launch (February 1972)