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treetreeseven wrote:That's part of what's so amazing about this - Cassini really is very old tech by modern standards.
The closest approach to Saturn during these passes will be between about 1,010 and 1,060 miles (1,630 and 1,710 kilometers) above Saturn's cloud tops.
treetreeseven wrote:JPL has put out an animated short about Cassini's end. It's available up to 1440p - I suggest watching it in full screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrGAQCq9BMU
par13del wrote:So rather than crash her into the rings they crash her onto the planet, hoping that all will burn up and no fragments hit the surface, how do we know the effect of earth microbes or whatever material the ship picked up in transit?
par13del wrote:I am not an environment geek, but I think the rings would be a better resting place, how about trying to park her in the rings and let her die there, she may continue to transmit for years to come...
par13del wrote:So rather than crash her into the rings they crash her onto the planet, hoping that all will burn up and no fragments hit the surface, how do we know the effect of earth microbes or whatever material the ship picked up in transit?
I am not an environment geek, but I think the rings would be a better resting place, how about trying to park her in the rings and let her die there, she may continue to transmit for years to come...
par13del wrote:I think the rings would be a better resting place, how about trying to park her in the rings and let her die there, she may continue to transmit for years to come...
treetreeseven wrote:They're probably more worried about Enceladus since it could support water-based biochemistry right now, let alone in the future.
It's almost time to say goodbye. Cassini was without a doubt a grand mission, some of the best photos are truly stunning, and I hate when people overuse that word in reference to images. But it's hard to see a good shot with two or three moons hanging above the rings like baubles and not be moved on some level.
77west wrote:And she is gone. About 15 minutes ago Cassini burned up in Saturn's atmosphere. What a craft... time to rest now after 20 years of work.
77west wrote:And she is gone. About 15 minutes ago Cassini burned up in Saturn's atmosphere. What a craft... time to rest now after 20 years of work.
KarelXWB wrote:77west wrote:And she is gone. About 15 minutes ago Cassini burned up in Saturn's atmosphere. What a craft... time to rest now after 20 years of work.
It didn't burn as there is no oxygen at Saturn. Cassini simply disintegrated.
KarelXWB wrote:77west wrote:And she is gone. About 15 minutes ago Cassini burned up in Saturn's atmosphere. What a craft... time to rest now after 20 years of work.
It didn't burn as there is no oxygen at Saturn. Cassini simply disintegrated.
tommy1808 wrote:While I don't really think it did burn, fire does not require oxygen, it just requires an oxydizer. But I don't think anything in Saturn's atmosphere would be suitable oxidizer.
ChrisKen wrote:For those arguing over whether Cassini burnt or not.
Although colloquially known as 'burn up', the intense heat generated by the friction with Saturn's atmosphere, vaporised Cassini.
ChrisKen wrote:For those arguing over whether Cassini burnt or not.
Although colloquially known as 'burn up', the intense heat generated by the friction with Saturn's atmosphere, vaporised Cassini.
KarelXWB wrote:77west wrote:And she is gone. About 15 minutes ago Cassini burned up in Saturn's atmosphere. What a craft... time to rest now after 20 years of work.
It didn't burn as there is no oxygen at Saturn. Cassini simply disintegrated.