Cassini Mission - Still going (not)

william-1 · Apr 26, 2017

The Cassini probe is about to make the first of 22 dives in between the rings of Saturn and the planet's atmosphere.

Cassini’s First Grand Finale Dive: Milestones

Channel Hopper · Apr 26, 2017

Cassini has done the ring journey before (sixth / F ), and found there was virtually no material, but as a precaution the onboard dish was put in front of the craft.

Mind you, it will be a rude awakening if the signals suddenly stop.

Terryl · Apr 26, 2017

It would also be a rude awakening if someone plugged in a microphone on the downlink transmitter and started signing Saturn's national anthem.

Channel Hopper · Apr 27, 2017

Oops, I might have tempted fate.
Nasa waits on Cassini radio contact from Saturn - BBC News

Channel Hopper · Apr 27, 2017

False alarm.

Cassini radio signal from Saturn picked up after dive - BBC News

Channel Hopper · Apr 27, 2017

First images now being received

https://saturnraw.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/images/raw/casJPGBrowseS99/W00106474.jpg

Channel Hopper · Apr 29, 2017

A 'compilation' , checking for authenticity owing to a number of fake website promos.

See more amazing images of Cassini’s dive through Saturn’s rings

Terryl · Apr 29, 2017

Channel Hopper said:
False alarm.

Cassini radio signal from Saturn picked up after dive - BBC News

Now that would fit in my back yard, would make some nice shade for the patio.

Channel Hopper · May 3, 2017

And, it's virtually empty between the rings.

Cassini Finds 'The Big Empty' Close to Saturn

and carried out the same journey through them late yesterday.

Terryl · May 3, 2017

Here is the sound of the probe going through the rings, not much to hear.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/science/nasa-cassini-sound-recording-saturn.html?_r=0

And they said it's going around 70,000 MPH, get hit by a grain of sand and it's all over for the windshield.

Channel Hopper · May 4, 2017

Particles in space , and how to deal with high speed impacts, is likely to be the main obstacle on how humans travel to other worlds once the propulsion and life support/stasis requirements are overcome.

Heinlein mentions / alludes to this in his/their novel Time For The Stars, my bookshelf copy has the authors Heinlein and Heinlein on the front cover.

2cvbloke · May 4, 2017

I like how they're using the dish as a deflector, can't think where they got the idea of using a dish as a deflector from..............

Channel Hopper · May 17, 2017

First ever true colour images.

The first true-color images of Saturn taken during Cassini’s close en

Channel Hopper · Jun 29, 2017

Saturn sunrise

Cassini: The Grand Finale: Saturnian Dawn

Ghostleader · Jun 29, 2017

Channel Hopper said:
Saturn sunrise

View attachment 108272

Cassini: The Grand Finale: Saturnian Dawn

That's an awesome pic, makes me think of the 2001/2010 films, don't know why because that was Jupiter but still! Would make a good mobile wallpaper if there's a HD resolution image available.

Channel Hopper · Jun 29, 2017

If you click on the image, you get to a page where you can download a 338k Tiff file

The link below takes you to a slightly higher resolution one, plus a contrast enhanced version

https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21334

Channel Hopper · Jun 29, 2017

Ghostleader said:
That's an awesome pic, makes me think of the 2001/2010 films, don't know why because that was Jupiter but still! Would make a good mobile wallpaper if there's a HD resolution image available.

If you know of the 1980s film, The Quiet Earth, the image is reminiscent of the last scene, and that on the DVD cover.

The Quiet Earth (1985) - IMDb

Channel Hopper · Jul 7, 2017

Passing through rings, again. No apparent damage

Channel Hopper · Aug 10, 2017

Five passes to go, this weekend Cassini drops to around a thousand miles above the clouds.

Cassini: The Grand Finale: Cassini to Begin Final Five Orbits Around Saturn

Channel Hopper · Aug 14, 2017

Done, data to be returned tonight.

Cassini: The Grand Finale: Orbit Guide

Just over a month to go

Cassini Mission - Still going (not)

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