Abstract. A fully relativistic modified gravitational theory including a fifth force skew-symmetric field is fitted to the Pioneer 10/11 anomalous acceleration. The theory allows for a variation with distance scales of the gravitational constant G, the fifth force skew-symmetric field coupling strength ω and the mass of the skew-symmetric field μ = 1/λ. A fit to the available anomalous acceleration data for the Pioneer 10/11 spacecraft is obtained for a phenomenological representation of the 'running' constants and values of the associated parameters are shown to exist that are consistent with fifth force experimental bounds. The fit to the acceleration data is consistent with all current satellite, laser ranging and observations for the inner planets.

PACS number: 04.50.-h

Print publication: Issue 10 (21 May 2006)
Received 30 November 2005
Published 25 April 2006