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Pioneer 7 Solar Observatory Spacecraft

Pioneer 7 was NASA’s second solar-orbiting interplanetary observatory. Launched in 1966, it studied solar wind and Earth’s magnetic tail, flew within 12.1 million kilometers of Halley’s comet in 1986—the closest U.S. spacecraft approach—and last contacted Earth in 1995.

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Identity

Aliases
Pioneer-BPioneer 07Pioneer 7 spacecraft
Family Name
Pioneer 7
Full Name
Pioneer 7 Solar Observatory Spacecraft
Roles
orbiterobservatoryresearch
Status
retired
Type
spacecraft

Details

Description
Pioneer 7 was NASA’s second solar-orbiting interplanetary observatory. Launched in 1966, it studied solar wind and Earth’s magnetic tail, flew within 12.1 million kilometers of Halley’s comet in 1986—the closest U.S. spacecraft approach—and last contacted Earth in 1995.
First Flight Year
1,966
Last Flight Year
1,995

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Creation Time
August 13, 2026 at 07:24:09 UTC
Updated Time
August 13, 2026 at 07:24:09 UTC