Click image to zoom

Cassini near 'Grand Finale' at Saturn

SOL SYSTEM Saturn -- 08 Apr 2017 -- As depicted in this illustration, Cassini will plunge into Saturns atmosphere on Sept. 15, 2017. Using its attitude control thrusters, the spacecraft will work to keep its antenna pointed at Earth while it sends its final data, including the composition of Saturn's upper atmosphere. The atmospheric torque will quickly become stronger than what the thrusters can compensate for, and after that point, Cassini will begin to tumble. When this happens, its radio connection to Earth will be severed, ending the mission. Following loss of signal, the spacecraft will burn up like a meteor in Saturn's upper atmosphere. The Cassini mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Italian Space Agency -- Picture by Atlas Photo Archive/JPL/NASA

Photo Details

Related Keywords