It was 40 years ago today when NASA launched Pioneer 10 from Cape Canaveral.
The robotic space probe was launched on March 2, 1972 on a mission to study Jupiter and the asteroid belt.
Pioneer 10 eventually became the first spacecraft from Earth to leave our solar system and enter deep space. With that in mind, scientists placed a recorded greeting on board -- along with a plaque that includes a map of Earth's location.
Eventually someone might find that map. Pioneer 10 is expected to arrive at the constellation Taurus in 2 million years.
- Track Pioneer 10 now! (real-time simulation)
- Learn more about the NASA's Pioneer Missions
- Is a mysterious force slowing Pioneer 10 down?
