Cassini Probe Celebrates 10 Years at Saturn Today

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A NASA spacecraft marks a big milestone today (June 30) — a decade exploring Saturn and its many moons.

Since arriving in orbit around Saturn 10 years ago today, the Cassini probe has made a number of unprecedented observations and discoveries. Although the spacecraft was originally approved for a four-year mission, it has been granted three mission extensions, allowing it to continue roaming the gas giant’s system.

"Having a healthy, long-lived spacecraft at Saturn has afforded us a precious opportunity," Linda Spilker, Cassini project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, said in a statement. "By having a decade there with Cassini, we have been privileged to witness never-before-seen events that are changing our understanding of how planetary systems form and what conditions might lead to habitats for life." [See amazing images taken by Cassini]

For example, Cassini has helped scientists learn more about what kinds of molecules populate our solar system. The spacecraft discovered plumes containing water-ice shooting out into space from the south polar region of Saturn’s moon Enceladus.

more

http://www.space.com/26391-cassini-spacecraft-10-years-saturn.html


http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/06/Saturn_s_shadows

[Wounded Bear]

1. Cool stuff!...nt

[Warren DeMontague]

2. ....Quite possibly

the greatest photographer in human history, among other accomplishments.