"JPL"

#1888023

8 April 2017

SOL SYSTEM Saturn -- 08 Apr 2017 -- This illustration shows Cassini breaking up in Saturn's atmosphere in it's last Grand Finale. During Cassinis Grand Finale, the spacecraft will make 22 orbits around Saturn that carry the spacecraft over the planet's north before diving between Saturn and its rings. At the conclusion of this final set of daring orbits, the spacecraft will plunge into Saturn's atmosphere, ending its mission on Sept. 15, 2017. The Cassini mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency) and the Italian Space Agency -- Picture by Atlas Photo Archive/JPL/NASA

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#1888024

8 April 2017

SOL SYSTEM Saturn -- 08 Apr 2017 -- This illustration shows Cassini above Saturn making one of its Grand Finale dives. During Cassinis Grand Finale, the spacecraft will make 22 orbits around Saturn that carry the spacecraft over the planet's north before diving between Saturn and its rings. At the conclusion of this final set of daring orbits, the spacecraft will plunge into Saturn's atmosphere, ending its mission on Sept. 15, 2017. The Cassini mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency) and the Italian Space Agency -- Picture by Atlas Photo Archive/JPL/NASA

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#1888026

8 April 2017

SOL SYSTEM Saturn -- 08 Apr 2017 -- This illustration shows Cassini above Saturn making one of its Grand Finale dives. During Cassinis Grand Finale, the spacecraft will make 22 orbits around Saturn that carry the spacecraft over the planet's north before diving between Saturn and its rings. At the conclusion of this final set of daring orbits, the spacecraft will plunge into Saturn's atmosphere, ending its mission on Sept. 15, 2017. The Cassini mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency) and the Italian Space Agency -- Picture by Atlas Photo Archive/JPL/NASA

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#1888027

8 April 2017

SOL SYSTEM Saturn -- 08 Apr 2017 -- This illustration shows Cassini above Saturn prior to making one of its Grand Finale dives. During Cassinis Grand Finale, the spacecraft will make 22 orbits around Saturn that carry the spacecraft over the planet's north before diving between Saturn and its rings. At the conclusion of this final set of daring orbits, the spacecraft will plunge into Saturn's atmosphere, ending its mission on Sept. 15, 2017. The Cassini mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency) and the Italian Space Agency -- Picture by Atlas Photo Archive/JPL/NASA

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#1888028

8 April 2017

SOL SYSTEM Saturn -- 08 Apr 2017 -- This illustration shows Cassini above Saturn prior to making one of its Grand Finale dives. During Cassinis Grand Finale, the spacecraft will make 22 orbits around Saturn that carry the spacecraft over the planet's north before diving between Saturn and its rings. At the conclusion of this final set of daring orbits, the spacecraft will plunge into Saturn's atmosphere, ending its mission on Sept. 15, 2017. The Cassini mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency) and the Italian Space Agency -- Picture by Atlas Photo Archive/JPL/NASA

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#1888029

8 April 2017

SOL SYSTEM Saturn -- 08 Apr 2017 -- This illustration shows Cassini above Saturn prior to making one of its Grand Finale dives. During Cassinis Grand Finale, the spacecraft will make 22 orbits around Saturn that carry the spacecraft over the planet's north before diving between Saturn and its rings. At the conclusion of this final set of daring orbits, the spacecraft will plunge into Saturn's atmosphere, ending its mission on Sept. 15, 2017. The Cassini mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency) and the Italian Space Agency -- Picture by Atlas Photo Archive/JPL/NASA

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#1888030

8 April 2017

SOL SYSTEM Saturn -- 08 Apr 2017 -- This illustration shows Cassini above Saturn's northern hemisphere prior to making one of its Grand Finale dives. During Cassinis Grand Finale, the spacecraft will make 22 orbits around Saturn that carry the spacecraft over the planet's north before diving between Saturn and its rings. At the conclusion of this final set of daring orbits, the spacecraft will plunge into Saturn's atmosphere, ending its mission on Sept. 15, 2017. The Cassini mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency) and the Italian Space Agency -- Picture by Atlas Photo Archive/JPL/NASA

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#1888031

8 April 2017

SOL SYSTEM Saturn -- 08 Apr 2017 -- This illustration shows Cassini above Saturn's northern hemisphere prior to making one of its Grand Finale dives. During Cassinis Grand Finale, the spacecraft will make 22 orbits around Saturn that carry the spacecraft over the planet's north before diving between Saturn and its rings. At the conclusion of this final set of daring orbits, the spacecraft will plunge into Saturn's atmosphere, ending its mission on Sept. 15, 2017. The Cassini mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency) and the Italian Space Agency -- Picture by Atlas Photo Archive/JPL/NASA

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#1888032

8 April 2017

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

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