Cassini−Huygens facts for kids
Cassini–Huygens was a special spacecraft that went on an amazing journey to study Saturn, its beautiful rings, and its many moons.
This big mission was a team effort by three space agencies: NASA from the United States, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The spacecraft had two main parts: the Cassini orbiter and the Huygens probe. It was launched into space on October 15, 1997. After a long trip, it arrived and entered orbit around Saturn on July 1, 2004. This made it the first spacecraft ever to orbit Saturn! Three other spacecraft had flown past Saturn before, but Cassini was the first to stay and orbit. The mission explored Saturn for 13 years and finally ended in September 2017.
Artist's concept of Cassini's orbit insertion around Saturn
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| Mission type | Cassini: Saturn orbiter Huygens: Titan lander |
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| Operator | Cassini: NASA / JPL Huygens: ESA / ASI |
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| Mission duration |
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| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Cassini: Jet Propulsion Laboratory Huygens: Thales Alenia Space |
| Launch mass | 5,712 kg (12,593 lb) |
| Dry mass | 2,523 kg (5,562 lb) |
| Power | ~885 watts (BOL) ~670 watts (2010) ~663 watts (EOM/2017) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | October 15, 1997, 08:43:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Titan IV(401)B B-33 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC-40 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Controlled entry into Saturn |
| Last contact | September 15, 2017
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| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Kronocentric |
| Flyby of Venus (Gravity assist) | |
| Closest approach | April 26, 1998 |
| Distance | 283 km (176 mi) |
| Flyby of Venus (Gravity assist) | |
| Closest approach | June 24, 1999 |
| Distance | 623 km (387 mi) |
| Flyby of Earth-Moon system (Gravity assist) | |
| Closest approach | August 18, 1999, 03:28 UTC |
| Distance | 1,171 km (728 mi) |
| Flyby of 2685 Masursky (Incidental) | |
| Closest approach | January 23, 2000 |
| Distance | 1,600,000 km (990,000 mi) |
| Flyby of Jupiter (Gravity assist) | |
| Closest approach | December 30, 2000 |
| Distance | 9,852,924 km (6,122,323 mi) |
| Saturn orbiter | |
| Orbital insertion | July 1, 2004, 02:48 UTC |
| Titan lander | |
| Spacecraft component | Huygens |
| Landing date | January 14, 2005 |
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Large Strategic Science Missions
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The Cassini Orbiter
The Cassini orbiter was named after Giovanni Domenico Cassini. He was an Italian-French astronomer who discovered several of Saturn's moons. Most of the orbiter was built by NASA. However, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) helped by building parts that communicated with the Huygens probe.
The Cassini orbiter spent 13 years orbiting Saturn. During this time, it sent back a huge amount of information and pictures. It explored many different parts of the Saturn system, including its rings and moons. The mission continued until the spacecraft started running low on fuel. To make sure it didn't accidentally crash into and contaminate one of Saturn's moons, the Cassini–Huygens mission ended with a planned crash into Saturn's atmosphere on September 15, 2017.
The Huygens Probe
The Huygens probe was built by the European Space Agency (ESA). It was named after Christiaan Huygens, a Dutch astronomer and scientist. He was the person who discovered Titan, Saturn's largest moon.
On December 25, 2004, the Huygens probe separated from the Cassini orbiter. A couple of weeks later, on January 14, 2005, the probe parachuted down through the thick atmosphere of Titan. Scientists had always wondered what Titan's surface was like because it was hidden by thick clouds. Titan is the only moon in our solar system that has a thick atmosphere.
As the probe descended, it took pictures and collected data. It sent all this information back to Earth for scientists to study. The pictures showed features that looked like rivers, which were likely made of liquid methane. Titan is far too cold for liquid water to exist on its surface. The probe continued to work for about 90 minutes after landing, which was exactly what scientists expected. Landing on Titan was a huge achievement, as it is the farthest place from Earth where we have ever landed a spacecraft.
