Posted on 06/03/2004 9:35:07 AM PDT by Pyro7480
Edited on 07/19/2004 2:14:19 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
June 3 (Bloomberg) -- The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft, a European-U.S. project, is approaching Saturn after a journey of almost seven years and on July 1 is scheduled to become the first manmade object to orbit the ringed planet.
The Cassini orbiter and Huygens probe were launched from Florida's Cape Canaveral on Oct. 15, 1997. The orbiter will study Saturn, its 31 moons, rings and magnetic environment. The probe will detach from Cassini in six months to descend to one of the moons. For scientists at London's Imperial College, the insertion of the craft into orbit represents ``the most critical moment of the mission,'' according to an e-mailed statement.
(Excerpt) Read more at quote.bloomberg.com ...
On June 11 it will fly within 1300 miles of Phoebe. This will be very exciting.
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