If you were born after 1997, it can be said that Cassini was elder than you.
The earth dwellers have always been fascinated by what is beyond the blue skies. The growth in space research has been exponential. And the Cassini Huygens mission was a classic in its success.
Cassini was a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to send a probe to study the planet Saturn and its system, including its rings and natural satellites.
Launched in October 1997, Cassini spent more than 13 years dedicatedly studying one planet. On its way to Saturn, it also studies Venus, Jupiter and the asteroid 2685 Masursky.
The mission has widely been accepted as more successful than was expected. Scheduled for four years, the mission was extended twice.Cassini was the fourth spacecraft sent to Saturn, but was the first to successfully enter orbit.At the end of its mission, the Cassini spacecraft executed the “Grand Finale” of its mission: a number of risky passes through the gaps between Saturn and Saturn’s inner rings.
Here are some awe-inspiring images sent by Cassini, through which we know our planetary neighbour a little better.
The colour of Saturn’s rings is displayed best in this largest and brightest ring around the planet.
(Image credits: NASA)
The ripples in the rings are a determinant in the spiral density and mass of the rings.
(Image credits: NASA)
Like our North Pole, even Saturn has a north pole.
(Image credits: NASA)
Cassini also unravelled what the Saturn’s rings are made of. From tiny sand particles to bits that are thousands of kilometres long.
(Image credits: NASA)
It also showed us a picture of Saturn’s satellite Titan. This is like the moon is to earth.
(Image credits: NASA)
After spending many years around it, Cassini sent one last image before perishing into the giant.
(Image credits: NASA)
Cassini will remain a hero on man’s quest of understanding the universe.
