Indication, from Pioneer 10/11, Galileo, and Ulysses Data, of an Apparent Anomalous, Weak, Long-Range Acceleration

TL;DR

Analysis of data from Pioneer 10/11, Galileo, and Ulysses spacecraft suggests an unexplained, constant acceleration towards the Sun, prompting further tests and investigations into its origin.

Contribution

This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of multiple spacecraft data indicating a consistent anomalous acceleration, ruling out several potential causes.

Findings

Detected a constant acceleration of ~8.5×10⁻⁸ cm/s² towards the Sun

Used two independent analysis codes and strategies for validation

Discussed potential future tests and origins of the anomaly

Abstract

Radio metric data from the Pioneer 10/11, Galileo, and Ulysses spacecraft indicate an apparent anomalous, constant, acceleration acting on the spacecraft with a magnitude $\sim 8.5\times 10^{-8}$ cm/s$^2$, directed towards the Sun. Two independent codes and physical strategies have been used to analyze the data. A number of potential causes have been ruled out. We discuss future kinematic tests and possible origins of the signal.