SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-pioneer10-asteroid-belt

Which spacecraft was first to fly through the asteroid belt and past Jupiter?

Pioneer 10, in 1972 and 1973.

Start playing free

  1. Voyager 1
  2. Galileo
  3. Pioneer 10 ✔

Why: Pioneer 10 entered the main asteroid belt in July 1972 and came out safely. In December 1973 it became the first spacecraft to fly past Jupiter.

Huh, didn't know that: During its asteroid-belt crossing, Pioneer 10 recorded fewer asteroid hits than scientists expected.

The dad joke
How did Pioneer 10 get through the asteroid belt? It just rocked it.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Pioneer 10. Pioneer 10 entered the main asteroid belt in July 1972 and came out safely. In December 1973 it became the first spacecraft to fly past Jupiter.

  1. NASA Science, Pioneer 10 science.nasa.gov/mission/pioneer-10
    First spacecraft to fly through the main asteroid belt.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. NASA Science, Pioneer 10 science.nasa.gov/mission/pioneer-10
    First spacecraft to fly past Jupiter.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. NASA Science, Pioneer 10 science.nasa.gov/mission/pioneer-10
    the spacecraft encountered some asteroid hits, although fewer than expected
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

AerospaceWhich dwarf planet lives in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter?AerospaceAbout how many Earths could fit inside Jupiter if it were hollow?AerospaceWhere do most asteroids in our solar system orbit?

That's stuff everyone should know.