In Other News...Cassini

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

By 3:00 am Thursday ET, NASA will know if the Cassini space probe survived the first of several passes between Saturn and it's rings. This little gem has been flying and sending back data for 19 years. It's running low on rocket fuel, so its mission will end in September with a final plunge --provided it survives the previous dives.

 

Amazing stuff.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/health/nasa-cassini-ring-dive/

[Subdeacon Joe]

The stuff of fantasy.  Thanks.

[Pat Riot]

Wouldn't it be nice to read a news article on line on your smart phone  without a barrage of ads blocking the article?...

 

Thanks for posting, Slim. These long range spacecraft have always fascinated me. I actually knew the man that developed Pioneer 10's power supply system when I worked at Hughes Aircraft back in the 80's. Fascinating stuff!

[Utah Bob #35998]

"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do these other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and others too."

[Rye Miles #13621]

Great stuff!!! Thanks for posting that!!

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

For the program directors, I would imagine that sending it on its final plunge would feel similar to putting down a family pet. Maybe they don't feel that way, but I do, and I'm not even involved in the project. But still, what a thrill it's been!

[Subdeacon Joe]

Looks like it made it:

https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/galleries/raw-images/

 

Image of Saturn

File name: W00107026.jpg
Taken: Apr. 26, 2017 5:31 AM
Received: Apr. 27, 2017 3:55 PM

The camera was pointing toward SATURN, and the image was taken using the CB3 and CL2 filters. This image has not been validated or calibrated. A validated/calibrated image will be archived with the NASA Planetary Data System.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute

[Subdeacon Joe]

For those of you who use Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NASACassini