description Pioneer 11 Overview
NASA’s Pioneer 11 is a historic space mission launched in 1973. It achieved the first-ever close flyby of Jupiter and subsequently became the first spacecraft to visit Saturn. Data collected during these journeys provided crucial insights into the outer solar system's planets and their environments. The mission was primarily designed for scientists studying planetary formation and the characteristics of gas giants.
help Pioneer 11 FAQ
Was Pioneer 11 the first spacecraft to visit both Jupiter and Saturn?
Pioneer 11 flew past Jupiter in 1974 and became the first spacecraft to encounter Saturn in 1979. Pioneer 10 had reached Jupiter earlier, so Pioneer 11 was not the first visitor to that planet.
What did Pioneer 11 discover at Saturn?
Its observations helped identify a previously unknown small moon and a narrow outer ring later associated with Saturn's F ring region. The flyby also measured the planet's magnetic field, atmosphere and radiation environment.
Why is there a plaque on Pioneer 11?
The aluminum plaque depicts a man and woman, the spacecraft's origin and a pulsar map intended to locate the Sun. Pioneer 10 carries an equivalent plaque because both spacecraft are escaping the solar system.
Is NASA still communicating with Pioneer 11?
No. NASA received the final engineering data from Pioneer 11 in 1995, when its power had become too weak for continued operation.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
