Cassini completes its mission by burning up in the Saturnian atmosphere: All you need to know about the spacecraft
7 years, 6 months ago

Cassini completes its mission by burning up in the Saturnian atmosphere: All you need to know about the spacecraft

Firstpost  

On 15 September 2017, at about 5:30 PM IST, Cassini completed its 20 year mission during the course of which it achieved a number of scientific breakthroughs. Cassini has discovered 7 previously unknown moons of Saturn during the course of its mission, including the “waverider” moon, Daphnis, which causes ripples in the rings of Saturn that are kilometres long. NASA scientists expected a number of new observations and photographs from the ring grazing orbits, bringing Cassini closer than ever to the tiny moons near the ring system around the gas giant. Cassini did not fail to deliver, one of the first images from the ring grazing orbits was an image of the hexagonal jet stream around the north pole of Saturn. The slingshot maneuver around Titan on 22 April, just before initiating the final set of deep dive orbits, was the last close flyby of a moon of Saturn by Cassini.

Spacecraft Earth Mission Moon Nasa Final Atmosphere Titan Rings Saturn Dive Cassini Enceladus Orbits Nasa Scientists Daphnis  titan  dive  nasa  burning  rings  saturn  saturnian  final  spacecraft  atmosphere  moon  know  completes  need  cassini  orbits  mission

History of this topic

NASA's Cassini mission data is still helping scientists understand the rings of Saturn – Firstpost
5 years, 9 months ago

NASA's Cassini mission data is still helping scientists understand the rings of Saturn – Firstpost

Firstpost  

Cassini was in space for 20 years and has provided information that scientists are still studying and understanding. When Cassini moved closer to Saturn in its final year, it observed intricate details on the rings of Saturn. “The new observations give scientists an even more intimate view of the rings than they had before, and each examination reveals new complexities,” …

Scientists: Saturn spent billions of years without its rings
6 years, 2 months ago

Scientists: Saturn spent billions of years without its rings

Associated Press  

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Saturn may have flown solo for billions of years — almost its entire existence — before getting its stunning set of rings, a new study suggests. An Italian-led team reported Thursday in the journal Science that Saturn’s primary rings appear to be just 10 million to 100 million years old. The findings are based on data …

Scientists discover 10,000kg of hail pours down from Saturn's rings every second
6 years, 5 months ago

Scientists discover 10,000kg of hail pours down from Saturn's rings every second

Daily Mail  

The rings of Saturn are raining down up to 10,000 kg of frozen material on the gas giant every second. Scientists now believe, thanks to data from the Cassini mission, that up to 10,000 kg of frozen material on the gas giant every second 'Turns out, ring rain is more like a ring downpour,' said Dr. Hunter Waite, the paper's …

What Cassini found as it plunged into Saturn a year ago
6 years, 5 months ago

What Cassini found as it plunged into Saturn a year ago

CNN  

Story highlights Cassini data is shedding new light on Saturn and its rings Material from the rings rains down into the planet and changes its atmosphere CNN — A year after Cassini ended its 20-year mission to study Saturn, the last data the spacecraft recorded before plunging into the planet’s atmosphere are revealing its long-held secrets. Saturn’s ‘ring rain’ During …

NASA's coverage of Cassini spacecraft's final moments earns Emmy nomination
6 years, 8 months ago

NASA's coverage of Cassini spacecraft's final moments earns Emmy nomination

Firstpost  

In 2017, after nearly 20 years in space, NASA’s Cassini orbiter went out of fuel. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has nominated NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for Outstanding Original Interactive Program for its coverage of the Cassini mission’s Grand Finale at Saturn. In 2017, after nearly 20 years in space and 13 years revealing the wonders of Saturn, …

WHAT DID CASSINI DISCOVER DURING ITS 20-YEAR MISSION IN
7 years, 1 month ago

WHAT DID CASSINI DISCOVER DURING ITS 20-YEAR MISSION IN

Daily Mail  

Cassini launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida in 1997, then spent seven years in transit followed by 13 years orbiting Saturn. An artist's impression of the Cassini spacecraft studying Saturn In 2000 it spent six months studying Jupiter before reaching Saturn in 2004. In that time, it discovered six more moons around Saturn, three-dimensional structures towering above Saturn's rings, and a …

Year in review: A comprehensive guide to everything that happened in the fields of space and astronomy in 2017
7 years, 3 months ago

Year in review: A comprehensive guide to everything that happened in the fields of space and astronomy in 2017

Firstpost  

In 2017, we discovered exoplanets with conditions totally unsuitable for life, Cassini concluded its mission with a suicidal dive into Saturn, NASA outsourced the processing of stunning images of Jupiter to the general public, astronomers and planetary scientists continued to argue over whether Pluto was a planet, Blue Origin successfully tested an unmanned Crew Capsule and not one single SpaceX …

Cassini may be dead, but a new era of Saturn science has just begun
7 years, 3 months ago

Cassini may be dead, but a new era of Saturn science has just begun

LA Times  

NASA’s Cassini mission to Saturn may have came to a fiery end in September, but observations made by the spacecraft in its final months still have plenty to teach us about the mysteries of the ringed planet. “Saturn’s ionosphere is much more complicated than anyone could imagine.” After traveling in the Saturn system for nearly 13 years, Cassini launched on …

What Cassini learned about Saturn during its death dive
7 years, 5 months ago

What Cassini learned about Saturn during its death dive

CNN  

Story highlights Data from Cassini's final dive reveal new information about Saturn's atmosphere Cassini observations confirmed that moons hold Saturn's rings in place CNN — Although NASA’s Cassini mission ended in September, new findings are being released about what the spacecraft “learned” about Saturn and its moons during the final days. When Cassini sank into Saturn’s upper atmosphere, it was …

Cassini reveals stunning image of Saturn's moon Enceladus
7 years, 6 months ago

Cassini reveals stunning image of Saturn's moon Enceladus

Daily Mail  

It is a stunning, almost ghostly view of Saturn's moon. More than a week after its dramatic ‘death dive’ into Saturn’s atmosphere, NASA has released Cassini’s final images, revealing stunning last looks at the ringed planet and its mysterious moons. Space enthusiast Jason Major used some of Cassini's final images to stitch together a stunning composite of Saturn as Cassini …

Cassini’s 13-year odyssey comes to end with a fiery plunge into Saturn
7 years, 6 months ago

Cassini’s 13-year odyssey comes to end with a fiery plunge into Saturn

India TV News  

US space agency NASA received a final signal from its Cassini spacecraft on Friday, whose 13-year-old unparalleled journey came to an end with a meteor-link plunge into the Saturn’s crushing atmosphere. According to NASA, Cassini, the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn, entered the planet’s crushing atmosphere at 7.55 a.m. EDT on Friday, with the signal received by NASA's Deep Space …

Farewell Cassini: Saturn spacecraft makes fiery, final dive
7 years, 6 months ago

Farewell Cassini: Saturn spacecraft makes fiery, final dive

Associated Press  

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA’s Cassini spacecraft disintegrated in the skies above Saturn on Friday in a final, fateful blaze of cosmic glory, following a remarkable journey of 20 years. “Farewell, faithful explorer.” This Grand Finale, as NASA called it, came about as Cassini’s fuel tank started getting low after 13 years exploring the planet. Seventeenth-century astronomers supplied the spacecraft …

Cassini, one of Nasa's most important spacecraft, slams into Saturn and gets destroyed
7 years, 6 months ago

Cassini, one of Nasa's most important spacecraft, slams into Saturn and gets destroyed

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Cassini, one of Nasa’s most important spacecrafts, has crashed into Saturn and been …

NASA's Cassini mission beams back final images before diving into the Saturnian atmosphere
7 years, 6 months ago

NASA's Cassini mission beams back final images before diving into the Saturnian atmosphere

Firstpost  

The spacecraft emptied its onboard solid-state recorder of all science data, prior to reconfiguring for a near-real-time data relay during the final plunge. NASA’s Cassini mission has transmitted the final images taken by its imaging cameras just before burning up in the Saturnian atmosphere in a final, science rich dive. The spacecraft emptied its onboard solid-state recorder of all science …

NASA's Cassini spacecraft ends its epic 20 year long mission with a fiery plunge into Saturn's atmosphere
7 years, 6 months ago

NASA's Cassini spacecraft ends its epic 20 year long mission with a fiery plunge into Saturn's atmosphere

Firstpost  

NASA’s USD 3.9 billion Cassini spacecraft today ended its 20-year-long groundbreaking journey with a fiery plunge into the Saturn’s crushing atmosphere, beaming back never-before-seen images of the ringed planet and its mysterious moons until the last moment. Operators deliberately made Cassini, the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn, dive into the gas giant to ensure that the planets moons - in …

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft burns up over Saturn ending 20-year-long journey
7 years, 6 months ago

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft burns up over Saturn ending 20-year-long journey

India TV News  

NASA's Cassini spacecraft today ended its 20-year-long epic journey with a fiery plunge into the Saturn's crushing atmosphere, while beaming back never-before-seen images of the ringed planet and its moons. Operators deliberately made Cassini, the first spacecraft to orbit Saturn, dive into the gas giant to ensure that the ringed planet's moons - in particular Enceladus, with its subsurface ocean …

Cassini burns up in skies over Saturn, ends 20-year mission
7 years, 6 months ago

Cassini burns up in skies over Saturn, ends 20-year mission

The Hindu  

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft disintegrated in the skies above Saturn early on September 15 in a final, fateful blaze of cosmic glory, following a remarkable journey of 20 years. Our spacecraft has entered Saturn's atmosphere, and we have received its final transmission, tweets @CassiniSaturn 5.01 p.m. IST: @NASAJPL tweets: Cassini Mission Control update: Loss of signal expected ~4.54 a.m. PT. "The …

You can watch NASA's Cassini make its 'Grand Finale' dive into Saturn's atmosphere later today: Here's how
7 years, 6 months ago

You can watch NASA's Cassini make its 'Grand Finale' dive into Saturn's atmosphere later today: Here's how

Firstpost  

The Cassini mission was launched in 1997 as a joint venture between NASA, ESA and the ASI. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft is all set to end its 13-year mission to Saturn at 5.30 pm IST on 15 September. By the time the images reach Earth, Cassini will already have taken the final plunge and burnt up like a meteor in Saturn’s …

Cassini, NASA’s 13-year Saturn mission, has ended
7 years, 6 months ago

Cassini, NASA’s 13-year Saturn mission, has ended

CNN  

Story highlights After more than a decade spent in the Saturn system, the Cassini mission is over It deliberately crashed into Saturn to protect the integrity of Saturn's moons for future study CNN — Contact has been lost with the Cassini spacecraft after it completed a “death dive” into the upper atmosphere of Saturn and transmitted its final signal, according …

As Nasa sends Cassini spacecraft to a spectacular death on Saturn, scientists describe delight and pride with mission
7 years, 6 months ago

As Nasa sends Cassini spacecraft to a spectacular death on Saturn, scientists describe delight and pride with mission

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Cassini has turned the moons of Saturn from dots of light into places, from Huygens landing on …

Nasa's 13-year old mission Cassini-Huygens mission to take its final dive into Saturn on 15 September
7 years, 6 months ago

Nasa's 13-year old mission Cassini-Huygens mission to take its final dive into Saturn on 15 September

Firstpost  

Cassini’s final manoeuvres begin at 0714 GMT on Friday, although the signal will only reach Nasa 86 minutes later. Nasa’s Cassini probe is counting its final hours before one last plunge into Saturn on Friday that will cap a fruitful 13-year mission that greatly expanded knowledge about the gas giant. “The Cassini mission has been packed full of scientific firsts, …

Cassini spacecraft’s 13-year Saturn mission ends Friday
7 years, 6 months ago

Cassini spacecraft’s 13-year Saturn mission ends Friday

CNN  

Story highlights The NASA Cassini mission ends Friday after 13 years observing the Saturn system Cassini data has revealed groundbreaking discoveries about Saturn and its moons CNN — Prepare to say goodbye to Cassini. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Saturn's moons Tethys, Enceladus and Mimas are shown in this image taken by the Cassini spacecraft on December 3, 2015. See Cassini's top …

‘OK. Let’s do it!’ An oral history of how NASA’s Cassini mission to Saturn came to be
7 years, 6 months ago

‘OK. Let’s do it!’ An oral history of how NASA’s Cassini mission to Saturn came to be

LA Times  

In the predawn hours Friday, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft will make a suicide dive into Saturn’s atmosphere, vaporizing like a tiny meteor in the vast Saturnian sky. Voyager’s unanswered questions Linda Spilker, Cassini mission project scientist at JPL: Had we not had Voyager, I don’t think we would have had Cassini. Epilogue There would be more nail-biting moments to come over …

Cassini set for final dive towards Saturn on 15 September; imaging cameras to send photos of Titan and Enceladus
7 years, 6 months ago

Cassini set for final dive towards Saturn on 15 September; imaging cameras to send photos of Titan and Enceladus

Firstpost  

Nasa’s robotic spacecraft Cassini that has been orbiting Saturn for 13 years is set for a final dive towards the planet and burn up in its atmosphere in a “grand finale” after it flies past Titan Nasa’s robotic spacecraft Cassini that has been orbiting Saturn for 13 years is set for a final dive towards the planet and burn up …

Nasa prepares to slam Cassini spacecraft into Saturn to protect planet from alien invasion
7 years, 7 months ago

Nasa prepares to slam Cassini spacecraft into Saturn to protect planet from alien invasion

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nasa is about to fly its Cassini spacecraft into Saturn, destroying it in …

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft nears a fiery, brutal end, when it will plunge into Saturn
7 years, 7 months ago

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft nears a fiery, brutal end, when it will plunge into Saturn

LA Times  

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has explored the Saturn system since 2004. After 13 years of observing Saturn, its rings and its myriad moons, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft is less than three weeks away from a fiery, brutal end. “It will be trailblazing until the very last second.” Earth-bound astronomers will keep a close eye on the planet at the moment of Cassini’s …

Fly through Saturn’s rings with Cassini — while it still can
7 years, 7 months ago

Fly through Saturn’s rings with Cassini — while it still can

LA Times  

NASA’s Cassini is making its final dives around Saturn. Even in its final dives around Saturn, NASA ’s Cassini spacecraft is still sending us remarkable new views of this gorgeous gas giant. The GIF below is made of 21 images taken by Cassini’s wide-angle camera over roughly four minutes as the spacecraft flew through the gap between Saturn’s innermost ring …

Cassini begins first of the five flyby over Saturn's atmosphere
7 years, 7 months ago

Cassini begins first of the five flyby over Saturn's atmosphere

Firstpost  

Cassini will travelling around 1,600 Km above the gaseous clouds pf Saturn, allowing it to take direct sample of the gas present in the extended atmosphere. The spacecraft is about to commence the first of a total of five ultra-close passes around the ringed gas giant, giving the scientists back home valuable data regarding the planet’s atmosphere. Cassini will travelling …

Nasa’s Cassini probe to begin final five orbits around Saturn
7 years, 7 months ago

Nasa’s Cassini probe to begin final five orbits around Saturn

Live Mint  

Washington: Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft is set to begin its final five ultra-close orbits around Saturn, before the probe plunges into the atmosphere of the ringed planet and ends its epic 20-year-long journey. The spacecraft is expected to encounter atmosphere dense enough to require the use of its small rocket thrusters to maintain stability - conditions similar to those encountered during …

NASA's Cassini to begin last five grand finale orbits by diving closer to Saturn's atmosphere
7 years, 7 months ago

NASA's Cassini to begin last five grand finale orbits by diving closer to Saturn's atmosphere

Firstpost  

In the final few orbits before it crashes into Saturn, Cassini will collect direct samples of the atmosphere for the first time. In the last five remaining complete orbits, Cassini will dive closer than ever to the upper atmosphere of Saturn, encountering dense matter in the process. In the last but fifth dive, Cassini will collect direct samples of Saturn’s …

Cassini spacecraft sends back stunning images and data as it prepares to crash into Saturn
7 years, 8 months ago

Cassini spacecraft sends back stunning images and data as it prepares to crash into Saturn

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Nasa release stunning video detailing Cassini spacecraft's final journey Before that, however, the ship is still conducting …

Nasa releases video of the first of Cassini's "Grand Finale" orbits around Saturn
7 years, 10 months ago

Nasa releases video of the first of Cassini's "Grand Finale" orbits around Saturn

Firstpost  

The series of 22 orbits are known as the “Grand Finale” dives as the spacecraft will plunge into the atmosphere of Saturn at the end of the orbits Nasa’s Cassini mission has beamed back images from the first of its “Grand Finale” dives around Saturn. The series of 22 orbits are known as the “Grand Finale” dives as the spacecraft …

Nasa's Cassini beams back images of Rhea and Titan from second "Grand Finale" dive
7 years, 10 months ago

Nasa's Cassini beams back images of Rhea and Titan from second "Grand Finale" dive

Firstpost  

Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft has beamed back images from its second “Grand Finale” dive between Saturn and its rings. Even though Cassini found mostly empty space between Saturn and its rings in the initial dive, the dish shaped communications antenna was used as a shield in the second dive as well, and Cassini was out of contact with Earth during the …

Fly along with Cassini: New video gives you a passenger’s eye view of Saturn
7 years, 10 months ago

Fly along with Cassini: New video gives you a passenger’s eye view of Saturn

LA Times  

This movie sequence of images from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft shows the view as Cassini swooped over Saturn during the first of its Grand Finale dives between the planet and its rings on April 26. The movie was taken on April 26, during the NASA spacecraft’s first pass through the previously unexplored region between Saturn and its innermost ring. As the …

Cassini finds 'the big empty' close to Saturn: NASA
7 years, 10 months ago

Cassini finds 'the big empty' close to Saturn: NASA

China Daily  

LOS ANGELES -- Scientists are baffled by the relatively dust-free space in the approximately 2,000 km-wide region between Saturn and its rings. This assessment is based on data collected by spacecraft Cassini during its first dive through the narrow gap, according to the US space agency NASA. "The region between the rings and Saturn is 'the big empty,' apparently," Cassini …

Nasa’s Cassini starts finale with first dive between Saturn’s rings
7 years, 11 months ago

Nasa’s Cassini starts finale with first dive between Saturn’s rings

Live Mint  

Washington: Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft has successful executed its historic first-ever dive through the narrow gap between the planet Saturn and its rings, marking the beginning of the ‘Grand Finale’ of the 20-year-long journey. “In the grandest tradition of exploration, Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft has once again blazed a trail, showing us new wonders and demonstrating where our curiosity can take us …

Nasa's Cassini beams back images from first "Grand Finale" dive between Saturn and its ring system
7 years, 11 months ago

Nasa's Cassini beams back images from first "Grand Finale" dive between Saturn and its ring system

Firstpost  

As the communications antenna was used as a shield during the dive, Cassini lost the ability to maintain contact with Earth. Cassini has successfully completed the first of its “Grand Finale” dives, between Saturn and its ring systems. Jim Green, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington said “In the grandest tradition of exploration, NASA’s Cassini …

Cassini probe shoots through Saturn’s rings
7 years, 11 months ago

Cassini probe shoots through Saturn’s rings

CNN  

Story highlights The first of 22 weekly dives between Saturn's rings has been completed It marks the first time a man-made object has explored this region of space CNN — NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has successfully executed its daring dive through the 1,500-mile-wide gap between Saturn and its rings, the first time a man-made object has navigated through the icy halo …

Cassini spacecraft's 'Grand Finale' takes off with a Google Doodle
7 years, 11 months ago

Cassini spacecraft's 'Grand Finale' takes off with a Google Doodle

Firstpost  

The Cassini spacecraft has just passed over Titan and thanks to the moon’s gravity has changed its path in what would be its final manoeuvre. The spacecraft which is now 20 years old, had been orbiting Saturn’s Moon Titan and has now entered its science rich final act called the ‘Grand Finale’. Today’s Google Doodle bids goodbye to Cassini and …

Nasa's Cassini probe to dive into Saturn's rings for a scientific grand finale
7 years, 11 months ago

Nasa's Cassini probe to dive into Saturn's rings for a scientific grand finale

Firstpost  

Nasa is preparing to send its long-lived Cassini probe into the unexplored region between Saturn and its rings for a scientific grand finale before the spacecraft’s suicidal plunge into the planet, space officials said on Tuesday. Since arriving at Saturn in July 2004, Cassini has been exploring the giant planet and its entourage of 62 known moons, including enigmatic Titan, …

Video Preview of Cassini’s Saturn Endgame
8 years, 3 months ago

Video Preview of Cassini’s Saturn Endgame

Slate  

Not long ago I wrote that the mission of the fantastic space probe Cassini is coming to an end. On Sept. 15, 2017, after a series of quite daring maneuvers, Cassini will drop into the atmosphere of Saturn, returning a last few bits of data about the giant planet’s atmosphere even as it plunges to its death. It’s been orbiting …

NASA's Cassini probe beams back first images from ring-grazing Saturn Orbit
8 years, 3 months ago

NASA's Cassini probe beams back first images from ring-grazing Saturn Orbit

Firstpost  

Soon after the Cassini orbiter successfully executed the first of its ring-grazing orbits, it beamed back photos of the northern hemisphere of Saturn. Soon after the Cassini orbiter successfully executed the first of its ring-grazing orbits, it beamed back photos of the northern hemisphere of Saturn, along with the hexagonal jet stream at Saturn’s pole. However, high resolution images of …

See pics! NASA's Cassini spacecraft captures first images of Saturn’s atmosphere from new orbit
8 years, 3 months ago

See pics! NASA's Cassini spacecraft captures first images of Saturn’s atmosphere from new orbit

India TV News  

US space agency NASA’s Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn has sent its first views of the planet’s atmosphere showing scenes from high above the planet's northern hemisphere, including an intriguing hexagon-shaped jet stream. Each of these week-long orbits - 20 in all - carries the spacecraft high above Saturn’s northern hemisphere before sending it skimming past the outer edges of the …

NASA's Cassini orbiter successfully completes first ring grazing maneuver around Saturn
8 years, 3 months ago

NASA's Cassini orbiter successfully completes first ring grazing maneuver around Saturn

Firstpost  

Cassini has made its first close dive across the plane of the rings of Saturn, passing just 91,000 kilometers above the methane clouds of the gas giant. The Cassini orbiter has made its first close dive across the plane of the rings of Saturn, passing just 91,000 kilometers above the methane clouds of the gas giant. Cassini had captured videos …

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft is about to get a taste of Saturn’s rings
8 years, 4 months ago

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft is about to get a taste of Saturn’s rings

LA Times  

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft stared at Saturn for nearly 44 hours on April 25­ to 27, 2016, to obtain this video showing just over four Saturn days. On Nov. 30, NASA’s Cassini mission will begin the ring-grazing final chapter of its career at Saturn, one that will end with the spacecraft’s terminal plunge into the gas giant’s unforgiving atmosphere. The second …

Video! NASA's Cassini gears up for closest-ever observations of Saturn
8 years, 6 months ago

Video! NASA's Cassini gears up for closest-ever observations of Saturn

India TV News  

After more than 12 years of studying Saturn, its rings and moons, NASA's Cassini spacecraft has entered the final year of its epic voyage. "During the F-ring orbits we expect to see the rings, along with the small moons and other structures embedded in them, as never before," said Linda Spilker, Cassini Project Scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, …

NASA's Cassini spacecraft plunges through Saturn moon Enceladus' icy spray
9 years, 5 months ago

NASA's Cassini spacecraft plunges through Saturn moon Enceladus' icy spray

ABC  

NASA's unmanned Cassini spacecraft has survived its closest-ever dive through the icy spray coming from Saturn's moon Enceladus. The probe skimmed 49 kilometres above the moon's southern polar region, sampling and collecting data on the spray that is believed to emanate from a subterranean ocean. While the spacecraft is not equipped to detect life, scientists said they hoped the pass …

Saturn in spectacular detail: Nasa's Cassini spacecraft pictures the planet as it continues its mission around the gas giant
10 years, 4 months ago

Saturn in spectacular detail: Nasa's Cassini spacecraft pictures the planet as it continues its mission around the gas giant

Daily Mail  

Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft, which has been in orbit around Saturn since 30 June 2004, has returned stunning new images of the gas giant and its various moons. Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft has returned stunning new images of Saturn and its moons. Equally remarkable are the colour mosaics of various moons released by the Cassini team.The global mosaics were produced using images …

Cassini Gets Life Extension to Explore Saturn Until 2017
15 years, 1 month ago

Cassini Gets Life Extension to Explore Saturn Until 2017

Wired  

NASA gave its Cassini spacecraft mission a 6 ½-year life extension to continue exploring Saturn and its moons. "Cassini has been an adventure of a lifetime, an extraordinary exploration of the most enchanting place in all the solar system," said Carolyn Porco, leader of the Cassini Imaging Team. "The extension presents a unique opportunity to follow seasonal changes of an …

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