NASA’s Cassini spacecraft enters its ‘Grand Finale’ orbit of Saturn
- 7 years ago
WASHINGTON — NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has begun the final stage of its mission after nearly 20 years traveling in space
The Cassini spacecraft entered its ‘Grand Finale’ orbits between Saturn’s cloud tops and the planet’s rings on April 26, CBS News reported.
Cassini survived its first dive between Saturn and its innermost rings, sending back never-before-seen images of the planet’s atmosphere, including a hurricane, according to NASA.
During 22 scheduled orbits, Cassini will measure ice and other content in Saturn’s rings, and take measurements from the planet’s rocky core.
Cassini will enter its final orbit on Sep. 15, in which it is expected to destroy itself by flying directly into Saturn’s atmosphere.
The Cassini spacecraft was launched on Oct. 15, 1997 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. It traveled 2.2 billion miles to reach Saturn.
The Cassini spacecraft entered its ‘Grand Finale’ orbits between Saturn’s cloud tops and the planet’s rings on April 26, CBS News reported.
Cassini survived its first dive between Saturn and its innermost rings, sending back never-before-seen images of the planet’s atmosphere, including a hurricane, according to NASA.
During 22 scheduled orbits, Cassini will measure ice and other content in Saturn’s rings, and take measurements from the planet’s rocky core.
Cassini will enter its final orbit on Sep. 15, in which it is expected to destroy itself by flying directly into Saturn’s atmosphere.
The Cassini spacecraft was launched on Oct. 15, 1997 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. It traveled 2.2 billion miles to reach Saturn.