March 11, 2022
On this date in 1960, NASA launched the Pioneer V spacecraft on its journey to explore the space between Earth and Venus. The last scientific measurements were transmitted back to Earth on June 26, 1960. Although the probe only transmitted sporadically for three and a half months, at almost 22.5 million miles in space, Pioneer V was by far the most successful space probe yet launched.
See the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s brief information page about Pioneer V here: https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/pioneer-v-satellite/nasm_A19640666000
This image shows Pioneer V prior to launch. Image credit: NASA/GSFC