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)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research. Established in 1958, it succeeded the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) to give the U.S. space development effort a distinct civilian orientation, emphasizing peaceful applications in space science. It has since led most of America's space exploration programs, including Project Mercury, Project Gemini, the 1968–1972 Apollo Moon landing missions, the Skylab space station, and the Space Shuttle. Currently, NASA supports the International Space Station along with the Commercial Crew Program, and oversees the development of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System for the lunar Artemis program.
NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
A U.S. Air Force Bell X-1 test flight
Launch of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency's Explorer 1, America's first satellite
Launch of Friendship 7, NASA's first orbital flight, February 20, 1962
