Saturn mission approaches tour finale

[nitpicker]

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-38160057

Saturn mission approaches tour finale

By Jonathan Amos
BBC Science Correspondent

30 November 2016

From the section Science & Environment

The Cassini spacecraft is beginning the end phases of its mission to Saturn. Having spent 12 years flying around the ringed planet and its moons at a relatively safe distance, the probe is now about to undertake a series of daredevil manoeuvres. These will see the satellite repeatedly dive extremely close to - and through - the rings over the next nine months. The manoeuvres will culminate in Cassini dumping itself in the atmosphere of the giant planet.

This destructive ending is necessary because the spacecraft is running low on fuel. Nasa (US space agency), which leads the Cassini mission, needs to make sure that an out-of-control probe cannot at some future date crash into any of Saturn’s moons - in particular, Enceladus and Titan. There is a chance these moons harbour life, and however remote the possibility - a colliding satellite could introduce contamination from Earth. This must not be allowed to happen.

But in the lead up to its safe disposal - set for 15 September next year - Cassini should gather some remarkable science. Starting on Wednesday, Cassini will repeatedly climb high above Saturn's north pole before then plunging to a point just outside the F ring (the outer boundary of the main ring system). The probe will do 20 such orbits, even sampling some of the particles and gases associated with the F ring.

Starting on 22 April next year, Cassini will then initiate a series of dives that take it in between the inner edge of the rings and the planet’s atmosphere. On occasion, it could pass less than 2,000km above Saturn’s cloud tops. As well as returning some spectacular imagery of the rings and moonlets previously seen only from a large distance, these upcoming manoeuvres are designed to permit close-up investigation of Saturn’s interior.
(snip)

[longship]

1. Carolyn Porco at TED on the Cassini mission

This is from a few years ago, but it is still inspiring and relevant.

Carolyn Porco's impassioned Cassini mission TED talk. If you have not seen this, it is a must see.

Enjoy!

[Warren DeMontague]

2. Some of the greatest photographs in human history

Have been taken by that machine.

[kebob]

3. Ya Know, When We Get Together, We Can Still Do Cool Shit!