Cassini #GrandFinale: NASA's Saturn explorer set to crash into Saturn's rings
The world will watch with bated breath as NASA's Saturn explorer, Cassini will plunge to its death on September 15, 2017.
Launched 20 years ago, NASA's Cassini explorer is set to crash into the rings of Saturn in two days. Cassini was launched in 2004, and set on the final chapter of its almost two decade long journey in April this year.
After more than a decade exploring #Saturn, its moons and rings, we've embarked on our #GrandFinale: https://t.co/0ZbfbX6DNs pic.twitter.com/qW4Ad5gUBr- CassiniSaturn (@CassiniSaturn) May 2, 2017
Cassini will transmit data up until its last moments. Cassini has been able to achieve what it set out to do, it has transmitted stunning pictures and videos of Saturn, tonnes of scientific data, discovered moons, discovered geysers spewing from Saturn's satellite Enceladus and also landed a probe on Saturn's moon Titan.
Now, after all this, Cassini has run out of fuel. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in a statement released in April said that Cassini is running low on fuel.
"In 2010, NASA decided to end the mission with a purposeful plunge into Saturn this year in order to protect and preserve the planet's moons for future exploration - especially the potentially habitable Enceladus," the statement read.
With Cassini, we had a rare opportunity and we seized it.?? Our new infographic about the #GrandFinale at Saturn: https://t.co/RBsWmPw6dd pic.twitter.com/vVt2GK7jWL- CassiniSaturn (@CassiniSaturn) September 13, 2017
NASA has been preparing for the plunge for over 7 years now. And Cassini's final jump into the rings of Saturn is being celebrated by the international space organisation. They even released retro posters for the event.
But first, posters. Celebrate @CassiniSaturn with new retro space posters. Free downloads at https://t.co/lilvTCGXHv #GrandFinale pic.twitter.com/7z8qI12O5z- NASA JPL (@NASAJPL) September 12, 2017
CASSINI's GOING AWAY PARTY
Six-year-old Jackson Kotch from Florida is throwing a going away party for Cassini. The kid mailed an adorable invitation to the team that handles Cassini's navigation at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Jackson's Goodbye Cassini Party! You're invited! September 15, 2017. 6.00 pm. We will have special Cassini cake - the invite read.
The invite also included a hand written note by Jackson. The note was addressed to Cassini Program Manager Earl Maize and Cassini Project Scientist Linda Spilker.
To Dr Earl Maize and Dr Linda Spilker,
I love Cassini and I feel sad because Cassini is going away. Are you sad too? Do you like working for NASA? I think your job is great. How do you become a NASA scientist? I want to be a NASA scientist when I grow up. I am in first grade now. How long have you been doing this job? I hope you can come to my party!
From,
Jackson Kotch
NASA also has a live ticker on its website showcasing the time until Cassini takes its final plunge.
ICYMI, our team members reflect on what has made this mission such an epic journey https://t.co/X6REiSxoqh #SaturnSaturday #GrandFinale pic.twitter.com/XSzN38Z5DG- CassiniSaturn (@CassiniSaturn) September 9, 2017