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

TL;DR

This paper suggests that the observed anomalous acceleration in spacecraft data can be explained by thermal recoil forces resulting from heat radiation scattering off the spacecraft's antenna, challenging the need for new physics.

Contribution

It provides a thermal recoil explanation for the Pioneer anomaly, offering an alternative to previous interpretations involving unknown forces.

Findings

Thermal recoil from RTG heat can account for the anomalous acceleration.

The explanation reduces the need for new physics hypotheses.

The analysis aligns with spacecraft thermal emission models.

Abstract

The reported anomalous acceleration may be explained as the recoil of radiated waste RTG heat scattered by the back of the high gain antenna.