Pioneer program

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Pioneer program Series of unmanned interplanetary probes launched by the USA. In 1960, Pioneer 5 measured distances within the Solar System and studied magnetism and the solar wind. Pioneer 10, launched in 1972, reached Jupiter in 1973. It investigated the planet's atmosphere and magnetic field, and sent back more than 300 pictures of the planet. Pioneer 11, launched in 1973, reached Jupiter in 1974, and Saturn in 1979 – discovering two moons there. In 1978, Pioneer Venus 1 and Pioneer Venus 2 entered Venus' atmosphere. The first orbited the planet for 14 years before it ceased operations. The second mission impacted with the planet.

http://arc.nasa.gov/Space_Projects/pioneer/PNhist.html