Pioneer Anomaly Solved

gstrickler writes: After years of work recovering and analyzing old mission data and vehicle schematics, a just published analysis provides strong evidence for anisotropic thermal radiation being the source of the slowing of the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft. The theory isn't new, but the recovered data and new analysis provide solid evidence that at least 80% of the deceleration is accounted for by anisotropic thermal radiation. Members of The Planetary Society were instrumental in recovering the data and helping fund the analysis.

The lesson is, in space, it matters what direction your heat radiating surfaces point.