Cassini - The Beginning of the End

The most exciting and bittersweet event in robotic missions this year will be the end of the Cassini Mission, which has been in orbit around Saturn since 2004. It is one of the most successful missions NASA has ever operated, sending back stunning images and data of Saturn, its rings, and many moons. The spacecraft is running out of fuel - when its fuel is depleted it will not be able to change course any longer. Mission planners have designed a dramatic final year of the mission before it plunges in to Saturn's atmosphere on September 15, 2017.  

Cassini before launch, 1996. Image: NASA

In the 13 years that Cassini has been in orbit, it has taken some of the most beautiful space images by any spacecraft, and done a tremendous amount of science. Check out this post from its 10 year anniversary to see lots of images. In order for the spacecraft to keep in good working condition all these years, mission planners have kept Cassini from getting too close to the ring particles, and a safe distance from Saturn's moons. Now that the mission is nearing its end, Cassini is getting closer to the rings than ever before.

The latest images released from these "ring grazing" orbits are incredible. All images come from NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI and you can find them here.

Click to view full size - you don't want to miss the little wave following the tiny moon Daphnis through the gap it is making in Saturn's rings.

Daphnis Up Close

These ring gaps get me every time.

One of the closest pictures of Saturn's rings taken yet, 32,000 miles away.

More rings close up.

"Propeller" in the rings

Last close view of Mimas

Mimas is sometimes called the "Death Star Moon". That crater is ENORMOUS compared to the size of the moon. The impact likely nearly shattered the moon.

LOOK AT THIS WEIRD LITTLE MOON PAN!

This moon is only 20 miles across, and creates a gap in Saturn's rings. As it orbits though the rings, it picks up particles, creating this ridge all around its middle.

The images from Cassini will keep getting better and better as it orbits closer and closer to the rings. It is a great time to follow the mission on social media, as new images are released all the time. We'll also keep you up to date if you visit the Dome Planetarium. 
The end of the Cassini mission is a bit sad. It will be like saying goodbye to a good friend. I have enjoyed following the mission for years now. The mission designers have done us space geeks all a favor by making the end of the mission so exciting. It is hard to feel sad when the end of the mission comes with such great images. 
This summer we will be featuring a show in the Dome all about the Saturn System and showing off the latest Cassini images. We'll celebrate the end of the mission on September 15 with a Saturn party - I'll keep you posted on details as the date draws near.  

Learn about exoplanets and more at the next Pub Night!