The basis of my solution is a proven physical effect. It is a well known in physics, that when a force is exerted on an atomic particle, such as a proton, in a cyclotron it begins to gain mass as its speed increases. As it accelerates, more and more force must be exerted to maintain a constant acceleration. The particle is acquiring more & more inertial mass and therefore its gravitational attraction is becoming stronger. It is climbing to a higher "space energy level".

The same thing happens when a rocket is launched. As the rocket accelerates due to the tremendous force exerted by the rocket engines, the atomic particles start becoming a tiny bit more massive. The inertial mass of every particle increases an extremely tiny BUT significant amount. Every proton and nuetron and electron of the spacecraft gains mass/energy. They are rising to a higher energy level, relative to space itself. I call it "space energy level".

Out in space, when the rocket engines shut down the spacecraft stops accelerating and the mass/energy increase ceases. The spacecraft is now speeding very fast, away from the earth, at about 51,810 kph. It passes by the moon in 11 hours. The mass/energy of the sub-atomic particles no longer continue to rise to higher levels  BUT  unlike the particles in the cyclotron, when it shuts down, the atomic particles of spacecraft do not return to their normal earth "rest mass" but remain at the higher "space energy level", since there is nothing to make them to return to their original "rest mass" on earth.

Physicists will have to realize that the "rest mass" of an atomic particle is not invariant but flucuates with the "space energy level" of the particle.

As the spacecraft heads toward Jupiter, it again begins to accelerate due to the gravitational force of Jupiter being exerted on every particle of the spacecraft. This causes the particles' mass to continue to rise to higher "space energy levels" as it speed continues to increase to 132,000 kph, away from earth, as it passes Jupiter. (Here is the kicker) The space crafts velocity, relative to space, however, remains at zero. Its inertial mass increases but its speed, relative to space, always remains at zero (it has no motion or direction).

Einstein said, A body's speed relative to space is irrelevant but this is not correct, according to the Michelson Morley experiment results, a body's speed relative to space is zero - it does not move. Relative to space the earth (or anything else) is not moving. This is a simple basic truth of nature but scientists just can't seem to accept this concept. Nothing moves - relative to space itself!

For the rest of their journey outward the particles of the spacecraft will remain at their new higher "rest mass" (space energy level)which is a tiny bit more then their original earth "rest mass". Even with all the combined force of the rocket engines and Jupiter's gravity the new "rest mass" difference is so small that only on very long flights into deep space will it become evident. Einstein's E=MC² relationship shows the tremendous amount of energy needed to increase mass a tiny bit.

Since gravitational force is proportional to the sun's mass times the spacecraft's mass, even a small change will affect the the velocity of the craft on its long journey into deep space. There will be a slightly greater attraction between the sun and the spacecraft at its higher "space energy level". Newton's formula for gravity is still OK as long as the change in inertial mass of the spacecraft is taken into consideration.

For long journeys into deep space scientists will have to incorporate, the gain in mass, due to the force of the rocket engines and Jupiters gravity during acceleration, into their calculations, in order to have a more accurate picture of the Pioneers' long journey.

The Pioneer Anomaly effect is an excellent opportunity to empirically check the true relativistic mass gain of long journeys into deep space.

A slight tweeking of the relativistic effects on the spacecraft's motion may eliminate the anomaly altogether and give better paradigm for future long distant space journeys. The data from the two journeys that has been learned is a good opportunity to find the actual value for C²  which may be much different then the theoretical value presently used. For long journeys into deep space, such as to Pioneer 10 and 11 rocket journeys, scientists will have to take into consideration, the new corrected gain in mass, caused by the force of the rocket engines and Jupiter's gravity, during its acceleration, into their calculations.

I explain this - mass gain - in my book - "The Mind of Mankind" as the "space energy level" of a body. This will give them a more accurate picture of the Pioneers' space journeys. The Pioneer Anomaly effect is an excellent opportunity to empirically check the true relativistic mass gain of long journeys into deep space.

I hope this helps solve the mystery of the anomaly of the Pioneer 10 and 11 space journeys. If you have any questions please contact me. dlham(at)prodigy.net

These concepts were published in 1996 - "The Mind of Mankind" ISBN 09649265-1-2.

Ref: Chapters 15,16, and 18

Don Hamilton is author of - "The MIND of Mankind" - A challenging book that explores the incredible creative powers of Mankind and the mysterious nature of the Universe. Everything humanity has achieved is a result of its "Human Imagination". It created the MIND of Mankind.

Comments from a satisfied reader - "Hello Mr. Hamilton, Just finished your book ... great job! Do you have any other similar books available?? I was looking for information on creation/evolution when I came across your book. This book should  be included in the educational systems of the world ... all ethnic groups could benefit greatly from this writing." - Matt

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