Cassini Spacecraft's 20-Year Mission Ends With A Fiery Explosion Into Saturn

Sowmya Kolluru
2017-09-29T07:50:26-07:00

On September 15, 2017, Cassini’s 19 year, 11 month, 0 day, 3 hour, 12 minute and 46 second long mission ended with a plunge into Saturn, the planet it had been orbiting for 13 years. The fiery demise was not accidental, but the result of a well-orchestrated plan to ensure that the spacecraft, which was running out of rocket propellant would not crash and pollute Saturn’s pristine moons.