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'''Pioneer 11''' was the second craft (after [[Pioneer 10]]) launched by [[NASA]] to study [[Jupiter]] and the outer reaches of our [[Solar System]]. It became the first man made craft to pass by [[Saturn]] and together with Pioneer 10, became the first objects from Earth to leave the Solar System. Both craft carried a plaque, bearing a message from mankind, in addition to drawings of a man and woman, and our Solar System's place in the galaxy.  

'''Pioneer 11''' was the second craft (after [[Pioneer 10]]) launched by [[NASA]] to study [[Jupiter]] and the outer reaches of our [[Solar System]]. It became the first man made craft to pass by [[Saturn]] and together with Pioneer 10, became the first objects from [[Earth]] to leave the Solar System. Both craft carried a plaque, bearing a message from mankind, in addition to drawings of a man and woman, and our Solar System's place in the galaxy.  

Pioneer 11 was launched on 5 April 1973, atop an Atlas/Centaur/TE364-4 launch vehicle. It successfully negotiated the [[asteroid belt]] on 19 April 1974, whereupon the thrusters were fired to increase the spacecraft's velocity by another 63.7 m/sec.<ref>http://www.solarviews.com/eng/pn10-11.htm</ref> At the same time, the aiming point at Jupiter was adjusted to 43,000 kilometers above the cloud tops. The close approach also allowed the spacecraft to be accelerated by Jupiter's massive gravity to a velocity 55 times that of the muzzle velocity of a high speed rifle bullet-173,000 kph, allowing it to be catapulted across the Solar System to cover the 2.4 billion kilometers to Saturn.

Pioneer 11 was launched on 5 April 1973, atop an Atlas/Centaur/TE364-4 launch vehicle. It successfully negotiated the [[asteroid belt]] on 19 April 1974, whereupon the thrusters were fired to increase the spacecraft's velocity by another 63.7 m/sec.<ref>http://www.solarviews.com/eng/pn10-11.htm</ref> At the same time, the aiming point at Jupiter was adjusted to 43,000 kilometers above the cloud tops. The close approach also allowed the spacecraft to be accelerated by Jupiter's massive gravity to a velocity 55 times that of the muzzle velocity of a high speed rifle bullet-173,000 kph, allowing it to be catapulted across the Solar System to cover the 2.4 billion kilometers to Saturn.