Pioneer 10
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.
Pioneer 10 was a Human space probe, launched from Earth during the latter half of the 20th century. Its primary mission was to analyze the planet Jupiter, then head into interstellar space. Pioneer 10 carried a metal plaque on its hull, designed to give alien lifeforms basic, non-language-specific, information about its origin and its creators. The probe became one of the first objects launched by Humans to leave the Solar system's planetary zone. As it passed through the extremes of the system, it was charged with investigating particles from the solar wind and cosmic rays.
Pioneer's intended course was believed to take it to the vicinity of the Aldebaran system, but some time before 2287, the probe passed near Klingon territory, where it was destroyed, that year, by the Klingon Captain Klaa and his Bird-of-Prey. (Star Trek V: The Final Frontier)
[edit] Background Information
- Though depicted as being destroyed near Klingon territory in the late 23rd century, in actuality the spacecraft's speed is currently microscopic compared to that necessary to traverse interstellar distances within the course of a single century. As of early 21st century estimates, Pioneer 10 will pass near the Aldebaran star system in just over two million years.
