🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 175 (from laksa167)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa175.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/about-the-mission/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/about-the-mission/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/about-the-mission\/","crawl_time":1775736787,"first_indexed_time":1696510970,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"gov,nasa!science,\/mission\/cassini\/about-the-mission\/ s443","src_root_hash":"12871711242003294575","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Cassini: About the Mission - NASA Science","meta_descriptions":["Cassini was one of the most ambitious efforts ever mounted in planetary exploration. A joint endeavor of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency), and the"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Cassini was one of the most ambitious efforts ever mounted in planetary exploration. A joint endeavor of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency), and the Italian space agency (ASI), Cassini was a sophisticated robotic spacecraft sent to study Saturn and its complex system of rings and moons in unprecedented detail.\nCassini carried a probe called\nHuygens\nto the Saturn system. The probe, which was built by ESA, parachuted to the surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, in January 2005—the most distant landing to date in our solar system. Huygens returned spectacular images and other science results during a two-and-a-half-hour descent through Titan’s hazy atmosphere, before coming to rest amid rounded cobbles of ice on a floodplain damp with liquid methane.\nCassini completed its initial four-year mission in June 2008 and earned two mission extensions that enabled the team to delve even deeper into Saturn’s mysteries. Key discoveries during its 13 years at Saturn included a global ocean with strong indications of hydrothermal activity within Enceladus and liquid methane seas on Titan. The mission ended on Sept. 15, 2017.\nMission Science Objectives\nSaturn\n—Study cloud properties and atmospheric composition, winds and temperatures, internal structure and rotation, ionosphere, origin, and evolution\nRings\n—Observe their structure and composition, dynamical processes, interrelation of rings and satellites, dust and micrometeoroid environment\nTitan\n—Study abundances of atmospheric constituents, distribution of trace gases and aerosols, winds and temperatures, composition and state of the surface, and upper atmosphere\nIcy Satellites\n—Determine their characteristics and geological histories; study mechanisms of surface modification, surface composition and distribution, overall composition and internal structure, and their interactions with Saturn’s magnetosphere\nSaturn’s Magnetosphere\n—Study its structure and electric currents; composition, sources, and sinks of particles within it; dynamics; interaction with the solar wind, satellites, and rings; Titan’s interaction with solar wind and magnetosphere\nCassini's Top Discoveries\nRepresenting just a sampling, some of Cassini’s top accomplishments and discoveries are:\nESA’s Huygens probe parachuted to Titan, making the first landing on a moon in the outer solar system\nDiscovered\nicy plumes spraying from fractures on Saturn’s moon Enceladus\n, leading to the understanding that the moon possesses a global ocean of liquid water, likely with hydrothermal activity on the seafloor\nFound\nSaturn’s rings\nto be active and dynamic — a laboratory for how planets or moons form\nRevealed Titan\nto have rain, rivers, lakes, and seas; it is shrouded in a thick, nitrogen-rich atmosphere that might be similar to what Earth’s was like long ago\nObserved the formation and development of Saturn’s great northern storm of 2010–2011, which eventually encircled the entire planet for months\nRevealed radio-wave patterns (known as “SKR”) are not tied to Saturn’s interior rotation, as previously thought\nImaged vertical structures in the rings for the first time; they appear to be made up of particles piled up in bumps or ridges more than 2 miles (3 km) high\nStudied Titan’s prebiotic chemistry\nSolved the mystery of the dual, bright-dark surface of the moon Iapetus – it is thought that one side of the moon’s topmost ice layer has sublimated (vaporized), leaving a dark, carbon-rich coating on that side while the ice condensed on the other side, making it appear brighter\nCaptured the first complete view of the hexagon-shaped jet stream that surrounds Saturn’s north pole and discovered a giant hurricane-like vortex at both of the planet’s poles\nGrand Finale\nIn late 2016, the Cassini spacecraft began a daring set of orbits called the\nGrand Finale\n, which were in many ways like a whole new mission. The spacecraft repeatedly climbed high above Saturn’s poles, flying just outside its narrow F ring 20 times.\nAfter a last targeted Titan flyby, the spacecraft dove between Saturn’s uppermost atmosphere and its innermost ring 22 times. As Cassini plunged past Saturn, it collected rich and valuable information far beyond the mission’s original plan, including measuring Saturn’s gravitational and magnetic fields with ultrafine precision, determining the mass of the rings, directly sampling the atmosphere and ionosphere, and capturing incredible up-close views of the planet and the rings.\nOn Sept. 15, 2017, the spacecraft made its final approach to the giant planet. This time, Cassini dived into the planet’s atmosphere, sending science data for as long as its small thrusters could keep the spacecraft’s antenna pointed at Earth. Soon after, Cassini burned up and disintegrated like a meteor in the skies high above Saturn’s clouds.\nAlthough the spacecraft may be gone, its enormous collection of data about Saturn – the giant planet itself, its magnetosphere, rings and moons – will continue to yield new discoveries for decades.\nNASA’s Cassini spacecraft and ESA’s Huygens probe expanded our understanding of the kinds of worlds where life might exist and eight more reasons the mission changed the course of planetary exploration.\nKeep Exploring\nDiscover More Topics From NASA","attrs_markdown":"[![NASA Logo](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa-child\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo@2x.png)](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/)\n\n- Explore\n\n[![NASA Logo](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa-child\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo@2x.png)](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/)\n\n- News & Events\n  - [Recently Published](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/recently-published\/)\n  - [Video Series on NASA+](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/plus\/)\n  - [Podcasts & Audio](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/podcasts-and-audio\/)\n  - [Blogs](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-blogs\/)\n  - [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/newsletters\/)\n  - [Social Media](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/socialmedia\/)\n  - [Media Resources](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/nasa-media-contacts\/)\n- Multimedia\n  - [Images](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/images\/)\n  - [Videos on NASA+](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/plus\/)\n  - [Interactives](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-interactive-features\/)\n  - [NASA Apps](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/apps\/)\n  - [Podcasts](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/podcasts\/)\n  - [e-Books](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ebooks\/)\n  - [STEM Multimedia](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/search\/?terms=8058%2C8059%2C8061%2C8062%2C8068)\n- [NASA+](https:\/\/plus.nasa.gov\/)\n\n## Suggested Searches\n- [Climate Change](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=Climate%20Change)\n- [Artemis](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=Artemis)\n- [Expedition 64](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=Expedition%2064)\n- [Mars perseverance](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=Mars%20perseverance)\n- [SpaceX Crew-2](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=SpaceX%20Crew-2)\n- [International Space Station](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/?search=International%20Space%20Station)\n- [View All Topics A-Z](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/a-to-z-topics-listing\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Missions](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/nasa-missions\/)\n- [Humans in Space](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/)\n- [The Solar System](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/)\n- [The Universe](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/)\n- [Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Aeronautics](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/technology\/)\n- [Learning Resources](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/)\n- [About NASA](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/about\/)\n- [Español](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/es\/)\n- [News & Events](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/about-the-mission\/)\n- [Multimedia](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/about-the-mission\/)\n- [NASA+](https:\/\/plus.nasa.gov\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions](https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e008486\/art002e008486~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)11 min read NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions article 5 days ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/nasa-answers-your-most-pressing-artemis-ii-questions\/)\n\n[![NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Daily Agenda](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/suit-patch.jpg?w=1024)11 min read NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Daily Agenda article 4 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/nasas-artemis-ii-moon-mission-daily-agenda\/)\n\n[![Track NASA’s Artemis II Mission in Real Time](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-02-03-screenshot-258-2560x1440-1.jpg?w=1024)3 min read Track NASA’s Artemis II Mission in Real Time article 1 month ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/artemis-2\/track-nasas-artemis-ii-mission-in-real-time\/)\n\nBack\n***\n\n[Missions](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/nasa-missions\/)\n\n- [Search All NASA Missions](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/)\n- [A to Z List of Missions](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/a-to-z-of-nasa-missions\/)\n- [Upcoming Launches and Landings](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/events\/)\n- [Spaceships and Rockets](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/spaceships-and-rockets\/)\n- [Communicating with Missions](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/communicating-with-missions\/)\n- [Artemis](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/artemis\/)\n- [James Webb Space Telescope](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/webb\/)\n- [Hubble Space Telescope](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/hubble\/)\n- [International Space Station](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/international-space-station\/)\n- [OSIRIS-REx](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/osiris-rex\/)\n\n[Humans in Space](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/)\n\n- [Why Go to Space](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/why-go-to-space\/)\n- [Astronauts](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/)\n- [Commercial Space](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/commercial-space\/)\n- [Destinations](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/destinations\/)\n- [Spaceships and Rockets](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/spaceships-and-rockets\/)\n- [Living in Space](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/living-in-space\/)\n\n[Earth](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/)\n\n- [Explore Earth Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/)\n- [Climate Change](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/climate-change\/)\n- [Earth, Our Planet](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/facts\/)\n- [Earth Science in Action](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/in-action\/)\n- [Earth Multimedia](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/multimedia\/)\n- [Earth Data](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/data\/)\n- [Earth Science Researchers](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/)\n\n[The Solar System](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/)\n\n- [The Sun](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/sun\/)\n- [Mercury](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mercury\/)\n- [Venus](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/venus\/)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/)\n- [The Moon](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/moon\/)\n- [Mars](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mars\/)\n- [Jupiter](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/jupiter\/)\n- [Saturn](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/saturn\/)\n- [Uranus](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/uranus\/)\n- [Neptune](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/neptune\/)\n- [Pluto & Dwarf Planets](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/dwarf-planets\/)\n- [Asteroids, Comets & Meteors](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/asteroids-comets-meteors\/)\n- [The Kuiper Belt](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/kuiper-belt\/)\n- [The Oort Cloud](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/oort-cloud\/)\n- [Skywatching](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/skywatching\/)\n\n[The Universe](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/)\n\n- [Exoplanets](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/exoplanets\/)\n- [The Search for Life in the Universe](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/search-for-life\/)\n- [Stars](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/stars\/)\n- [Galaxies](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/galaxies\/)\n- [Black Holes](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/black-holes\/)\n- [The Big Bang](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/the-big-bang\/)\n- [Dark Matter](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/dark-matter\/)\n- [Dark Energy](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/dark-energy\/)\n\n[Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/)\n\n- [Earth Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth-science\/)\n- [Planetary Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/planetary-science\/)\n- [Astrophysics & Space Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/astrophysics\/)\n- [The Sun & Heliophysics](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/heliophysics\/)\n- [Biological & Physical Sciences](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/biological-physical\/)\n- [Lunar Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/lunar-science\/)\n- [Citizen Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/citizen-science\/)\n- [Astromaterials](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/astromaterials\/)\n- [Aeronautics Research](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics-research\/)\n- [Human Space Travel Research](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/human-space-travel-research\/)\n\n[Aeronautics](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/)\n\n- [Science in the Air](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/science-in-the-air\/)\n- [NASA Aircraft](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/aircraft\/)\n- [Flight Innovation](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/flight-innovation\/)\n- [Supersonic Flight](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/supersonic-flight\/)\n- [Air Traffic Solutions](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/air-traffic-solutions\/)\n- [Green Aviation Tech](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/green-aero-tech\/)\n- [Drones & You](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/drones-and-you\/)\n\n[Technology](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/technology\/)\n\n- [Technology Transfer & Spinoffs](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology-transfer-spinoffs\/)\n- [Space Travel Technology](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-travel-technology\/)\n- [Technology Living in Space](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/space-living-technology\/)\n- [Manufacturing and Materials](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/manufacturing-and-materials\/)\n- [Robotics](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/robotics\/)\n- [Science Instruments](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/science-instruments\/)\n- [Computing](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/computing\/)\n\n[Learning Resources](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/)\n\n- [For Kids and Students](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/for-kids-and-students\/)\n- [For Educators](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/for-educators\/)\n- [For Colleges and Universities](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/colleges-and-universities\/)\n- [For Professionals](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/for-professionals\/)\n- [Science for Everyone](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/for-everyone\/)\n- [Requests for Exhibits, Artifacts, or Speakers](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/requests-for-exhibits-artifacts-or-speakers\/)\n- [STEM Engagement at NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/stem-engagement-at-nasa\/)\n\n[About NASA](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/about\/)\n\n- [NASA's Impacts](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-impacts\/)\n- [Centers and Facilities](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-centers-and-facilities\/)\n- [Directorates](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-directorates\/)\n- [Organizations](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-organization\/)\n- [People of NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/people-of-nasa\/)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/careers\/)\n- [Internships](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/nasa-internship-programs\/)\n- [Our History](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/history\/)\n- [Doing Business with NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/doing-business-with-nasa\/)\n- [Get Involved](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/get-involved\/)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/contact-nasa\/)\n\n[NASA en Español](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/es\/)\n\n- [Ciencia](https:\/\/ciencia.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Aeronáutica](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/espanol\/aeronautica-en-espanol\/)\n- [Ciencias Terrestres](https:\/\/ciencia.nasa.gov\/tierra)\n- [Sistema Solar](https:\/\/ciencia.nasa.gov\/sistema-solar)\n- [Universo](https:\/\/ciencia.nasa.gov\/universo)\n\n[News & Events](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/news\/)\n\n- [Recently Published](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/recently-published\/)\n- [Video Series on NASA+](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/plus\/)\n- [Podcasts & Audio](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/podcasts-and-audio\/)\n- [Blogs](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-blogs\/)\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/newsletters\/)\n- [Social Media](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/socialmedia\/)\n- [Media Resources](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/nasa-media-contacts\/)\n\n[Multimedia](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/multimedia\/)\n\n- [Images](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/images\/)\n- [Videos on NASA+](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/plus\/)\n- [Interactives](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-interactive-features\/)\n- [NASA Apps](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/apps\/)\n- [Podcasts](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/podcasts\/)\n- [e-Books](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/ebooks\/)\n- [STEM Multimedia](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/search\/?terms=8058%2C8059%2C8061%2C8062%2C8068)\n\n### Highlights\n[![NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions](https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e008486\/art002e008486~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) 11 min read NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions article 5 days ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/nasa-answers-your-most-pressing-artemis-ii-questions\/)\n\n[![NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Daily Agenda](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/suit-patch.jpg?w=1024) 11 min read NASA’s Artemis II Moon Mission Daily Agenda article 4 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/nasas-artemis-ii-moon-mission-daily-agenda\/)\n\n[![Track NASA’s Artemis II Mission in Real Time](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-02-03-screenshot-258-2560x1440-1.jpg?w=1024) 3 min read Track NASA’s Artemis II Mission in Real Time article 1 month ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/artemis-2\/track-nasas-artemis-ii-mission-in-real-time\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions](https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/art002e008486\/art002e008486~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) 11 min read NASA Answers Your Most Pressing Artemis II Questions article 5 days ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/nasa-answers-your-most-pressing-artemis-ii-questions\/)\n\n[![Artemis II Podcast Series](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a2-cu-horizontal-hero-16-9.png?w=1024) 1 min read Artemis II Podcast Series article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/artemispodcast\/)\n\n[![NASA Releases Artemis II Moon Mission Launch Countdown](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/countdown.jpg?w=1024) 7 min read NASA Releases Artemis II Moon Mission Launch Countdown article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/general\/nasa-releases-artemis-ii-moon-mission-launch-countdown\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Snow in the Shadow of the Andes](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/snow-in-the-shadow-of-the-andes\/patagoniasnow_tmo_20260403_th.jpg?w=1024) 2 min read Snow in the Shadow of the Andes article 6 hours ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/snow-in-the-shadow-of-the-andes\/)\n\n[![A Volcanic Medley Near Mammoth Lakes ](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-volcanic-medley-near-mammoth-lakes-\/mammothlakes_oli2_20260329_th.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read A Volcanic Medley Near Mammoth Lakes article 1 day ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-volcanic-medley-near-mammoth-lakes\/)\n\n[![Drought Parches Florida](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-dry-winter-for-florida\/flordrought_grc_20260330_th.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read Drought Parches Florida article 2 days ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/drought-parches-florida\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Solar System Bibliography](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/photojournal\/pia\/pia12\/pia12114\/PIA12114.tif?w=1024) 4 min read Solar System Bibliography article 12 hours ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/solar-system-bibliography\/)\n\n[![Twin NASA Control Rooms Support Artemis Safety, Success](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dsc-3710.jpg?w=1024) 3 min read Twin NASA Control Rooms Support Artemis Safety, Success article 16 hours ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/directorates\/esdmd\/artemis-campaign-development-division\/human-landing-system-program\/twin-nasa-control-rooms-support-artemis-safety-success\/)\n\n[![A Volcanic Medley Near Mammoth Lakes ](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-volcanic-medley-near-mammoth-lakes-\/mammothlakes_oli2_20260329_th.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read A Volcanic Medley Near Mammoth Lakes article 1 day ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-volcanic-medley-near-mammoth-lakes\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![NASA Webb, Hubble Share Most Comprehensive View of Saturn to Date](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/webb\/science\/2026\/03\/STScI-01KJTMDAZWZ2WCK5QF477J3279.jpg?w=1024) 6 min read NASA Webb, Hubble Share Most Comprehensive View of Saturn to Date article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/webb\/nasa-webb-hubble-share-most-comprehensive-view-of-saturn-to-date\/)\n\n[![NASA-JAXA’s XRISM Telescope Clocks Hot Wind of Galaxy M82](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/xrism\/News\/2026\/m82\/M82%20with%20Inset%20mkVI%20Fix.jpg?w=1024) 5 min read NASA-JAXA’s XRISM Telescope Clocks Hot Wind of Galaxy M82 article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/xrism\/nasa-jaxas-xrism-telescope-clocks-hot-wind-of-galaxy-m82\/)\n\n[![NASA’s Hubble Revisits Crab Nebula to Track 25 Years of Expansion](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/missions\/hubble\/releases\/2026\/03\/STScI-01KJQWS2TX2REXHGQ32X7EJ7V1.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read NASA’s Hubble Revisits Crab Nebula to Track 25 Years of Expansion article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/hubble\/nasas-hubble-revisits-crab-nebula-to-track-25-years-of-expansion\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Snow in the Shadow of the Andes](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/snow-in-the-shadow-of-the-andes\/patagoniasnow_tmo_20260403_th.jpg?w=1024) 2 min read Snow in the Shadow of the Andes article 6 hours ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/snow-in-the-shadow-of-the-andes\/)\n\n[![Solar System Bibliography](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/photojournal\/pia\/pia12\/pia12114\/PIA12114.tif?w=1024) 4 min read Solar System Bibliography article 12 hours ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/solar-system-bibliography\/)\n\n[![A Volcanic Medley Near Mammoth Lakes ](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/a-volcanic-medley-near-mammoth-lakes-\/mammothlakes_oli2_20260329_th.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read A Volcanic Medley Near Mammoth Lakes article 1 day ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-volcanic-medley-near-mammoth-lakes\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![NASA Selects Finalists in Student Aircraft Maintenance Competition](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/afrc2018-0287-158.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read NASA Selects Finalists in Student Aircraft Maintenance Competition article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/nasa-selects-finalists-in-student-aircraft-maintenance-competition\/)\n\n[![NASA’s X-59 Experimental Supersonic Aircraft Makes Second Flight ](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/x-592ndflight.jpg?w=1024) 2 min read NASA’s X-59 Experimental Supersonic Aircraft Makes Second Flight article 3 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/quesst\/nasas-x-59-experimental-supersonic-aircraft-makes-second-flight\/)\n\n[![NASA Simulations Improve Artemis II Launch Environment](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/sls-artemis-sim-frame-copy.jpg?w=1024) 2 min read NASA Simulations Improve Artemis II Launch Environment article 3 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/artemis-sls-launch-sim\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Snow in the Shadow of the Andes](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/snow-in-the-shadow-of-the-andes\/patagoniasnow_tmo_20260403_th.jpg?w=1024) 2 min read Snow in the Shadow of the Andes article 6 hours ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/snow-in-the-shadow-of-the-andes\/)\n\n[![Fires Tear Through Nebraska Grasslands](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/fires-tear-through-nebraska-grasslands\/nebraskafire_vir2_20260329_th.jpg?w=1024) 3 min read Fires Tear Through Nebraska Grasslands article 1 week ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/fires-tear-through-nebraska-grasslands\/)\n\n[![I Am Artemis: Erik Richards](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-1-2.jpg?w=1024) 3 min read I Am Artemis: Erik Richards article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/i-am-artemis\/i-am-artemis-erik-richards\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Join the Artemis Mission to the Moon](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/artemis-base-camp-3-2.png?w=1024) 1 min read Join the Artemis Mission to the Moon article 5 months ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/join-artemis\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![Preparing for Artemis II: Training for a Mission Around the Moon](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/53206112789-e5e932c583-o.jpg?w=1024) 4 min read Preparing for Artemis II: Training for a Mission Around the Moon article 2 months ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/johnson\/preparing-for-artemis-ii-training-for-a-mission-around-the-moon\/)\n\n[![Meet NASA’s New Artemis II Science Officers](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/ares\/jsc2026e006229.jpg?w=1024) 5 min read Meet NASA’s New Artemis II Science Officers article 6 days ago](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/missions\/artemis\/meet-nasas-new-artemis-ii-science-officers\/)\n\n[![Get In, We’re Going Moonbound: Meet NASA’s Artemis Closeout Crew](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ksc-20251219-ph-jcr01-0015rev.jpg?w=1024) 3 min read Get In, We’re Going Moonbound: Meet NASA’s Artemis Closeout Crew article 4 months ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/kennedy\/get-in-were-going-to-the-moon-meet-nasas-artemis-closeout-crew\/)\n\n### Highlights\n[![La NASA anuncia la cobertura de la misión lunar Artemis II](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/a2crew-7ff19d.jpg?w=1024) 11 min read La NASA anuncia la cobertura de la misión lunar Artemis II article 2 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/es\/la-nasa-anuncia-la-cobertura-de-la-mision-lunar-artemis-ii\/)\n\n[![Agenda diaria de la misión a la Luna de Artemis II de la NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/suit-patch.jpg?w=1024) 15 min read Agenda diaria de la misión a la Luna de Artemis II de la NASA article 4 weeks ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/es\/agenda-diaria-de-la-mision-a-la-luna-de-artemis-ii-de-la-nasa\/)\n\n[![La NASA refuerza Artemis: añade una misión y perfecciona su arquitectura general](https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss074e0325229\/iss074e0325229~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) 6 min read La NASA refuerza Artemis: añade una misión y perfecciona su arquitectura general article 1 month ago](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/la-nasa-refuerza-artemis-anade-una-mision-y-perfecciona-su-arquitectura-general\/)\n\nExplore This Section\n\n1. […](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/science-missions\/)\n2. [Cassini-Huygens](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/)\n3. Cassini: About the Mission\n\n- [Cassini Home](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/)\n- Overview\n  - [Why Cassini Mattered](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/grand-finale\/why-cassini-mattered\/)\n  - [Timeline](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/cassini-mission-timeline\/)\n  - [Quick Facts](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/cassini-quick-facts\/)\n- Science\n  - [Overview](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/overview\/)\n  - [Rings](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/rings\/)\n  - [Titan](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/titan\/)\n  - [Enceladus](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/enceladus\/)\n  - [Moons](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/moons\/)\n  - [Magnetosphere](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/magnetosphere\/)\n- Mission\n  - [About the Mission](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/about-the-mission\/)\n  - [Spacecraft](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/spacecraft\/cassini-orbiter\/)\n  - [The Grand Finale](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/grand-finale\/overview\/)\n  - [The Team](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/team\/)\n  - [Top 10s](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/top-tens\/)\n  - [Saturn Tour](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/tour\/)\n  - [FAQ](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/faq\/)\n- Multimedia\n  - [All Multimedia](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/multimedia)\n  - [Audio](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/multimedia\/audio\/?types=audio)\n  - [Featured Raw Images](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/multimedia\/featured-raw-images\/)\n  - [Graphics](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/multimedia\/graphics\/?types=graphics)\n  - [Hall of Fame](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/multimedia\/hall-of-fame\/?topics=hall+of+fame)\n  - [Images](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/multimedia\/?types=images)\n  - [Videos](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/multimedia\/videos\/?types=videos)\n\n# Cassini: About the Mission\n![](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/internal_resources\/1939\/cassini_banner_final.jpg?w=1600&h=500&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)\n\nCassini was one of the most ambitious efforts ever mounted in planetary exploration. A joint endeavor of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency), and the Italian space agency (ASI), Cassini was a sophisticated robotic spacecraft sent to study Saturn and its complex system of rings and moons in unprecedented detail.\n\nCassini carried a probe called [Huygens](https:\/\/solarsystem.nasa.gov\/missions\/huygens\/in-depth\/) to the Saturn system. The probe, which was built by ESA, parachuted to the surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, in January 2005—the most distant landing to date in our solar system. Huygens returned spectacular images and other science results during a two-and-a-half-hour descent through Titan’s hazy atmosphere, before coming to rest amid rounded cobbles of ice on a floodplain damp with liquid methane.\n\nCassini completed its initial four-year mission in June 2008 and earned two mission extensions that enabled the team to delve even deeper into Saturn’s mysteries. Key discoveries during its 13 years at Saturn included a global ocean with strong indications of hydrothermal activity within Enceladus and liquid methane seas on Titan. The mission ended on Sept. 15, 2017.\n\n## Mission Science Objectives\n[**Saturn**](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/overview\/)—Study cloud properties and atmospheric composition, winds and temperatures, internal structure and rotation, ionosphere, origin, and evolution\n\n[**Rings**](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/rings\/)—Observe their structure and composition, dynamical processes, interrelation of rings and satellites, dust and micrometeoroid environment\n\n[**Titan**](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/titan\/)—Study abundances of atmospheric constituents, distribution of trace gases and aerosols, winds and temperatures, composition and state of the surface, and upper atmosphere\n\n[**Icy Satellites**](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/moons\/)—Determine their characteristics and geological histories; study mechanisms of surface modification, surface composition and distribution, overall composition and internal structure, and their interactions with Saturn’s magnetosphere\n\n[**Saturn’s Magnetosphere**](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/magnetosphere\/)—Study its structure and electric currents; composition, sources, and sinks of particles within it; dynamics; interaction with the solar wind, satellites, and rings; Titan’s interaction with solar wind and magnetosphere\n\n[![A color-enhanced image shows cloud patterns moving around a hexagon -shaped storm om Satirm.](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/psd\/solar\/internal_resources\/1490\/hex_gif.gif?w=1024&h=1024&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/psd\/solar\/internal_resources\/1490\/hex_gif.gif?w=1024&h=1024&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)\n\nThis colorful view from NASA's Cassini mission is the highest-resolution view of the unique six-sided jet stream at Saturn's north pole known as \"the hexagon.\" This movie, made from images obtained by Cassini's imaging cameras, is the first to show the hexagon in color filters, and the first movie to show a complete view from the north pole down to about 70 degrees north latitude.\n\nNASA\/JPL-Caltech\/SSI\/Hampton University\n## Cassini's Top Discoveries\nRepresenting just a sampling, some of Cassini’s top accomplishments and discoveries are:\n\n- ESA’s Huygens probe parachuted to Titan, making the first landing on a moon in the outer solar system\n- Discovered [icy plumes spraying from fractures on Saturn’s moon Enceladus](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/enceladus\/), leading to the understanding that the moon possesses a global ocean of liquid water, likely with hydrothermal activity on the seafloor\n- Found [Saturn’s rings](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/rings\/) to be active and dynamic — a laboratory for how planets or moons form\n- [Revealed Titan](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/saturn\/moons\/titan\/) to have rain, rivers, lakes, and seas; it is shrouded in a thick, nitrogen-rich atmosphere that might be similar to what Earth’s was like long ago\n- Observed the formation and development of Saturn’s great northern storm of 2010–2011, which eventually encircled the entire planet for months\n- Revealed radio-wave patterns (known as “SKR”) are not tied to Saturn’s interior rotation, as previously thought\n- Imaged vertical structures in the rings for the first time; they appear to be made up of particles piled up in bumps or ridges more than 2 miles (3 km) high\n- Studied Titan’s prebiotic chemistry\n- Solved the mystery of the dual, bright-dark surface of the moon Iapetus – it is thought that one side of the moon’s topmost ice layer has sublimated (vaporized), leaving a dark, carbon-rich coating on that side while the ice condensed on the other side, making it appear brighter\n- Captured the first complete view of the hexagon-shaped jet stream that surrounds Saturn’s north pole and discovered a giant hurricane-like vortex at both of the planet’s poles\n## Grand Finale\nIn late 2016, the Cassini spacecraft began a daring set of orbits called the [Grand Finale](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/grand-finale\/overview\/), which were in many ways like a whole new mission. The spacecraft repeatedly climbed high above Saturn’s poles, flying just outside its narrow F ring 20 times.\n\nAfter a last targeted Titan flyby, the spacecraft dove between Saturn’s uppermost atmosphere and its innermost ring 22 times. As Cassini plunged past Saturn, it collected rich and valuable information far beyond the mission’s original plan, including measuring Saturn’s gravitational and magnetic fields with ultrafine precision, determining the mass of the rings, directly sampling the atmosphere and ionosphere, and capturing incredible up-close views of the planet and the rings.\n\nOn Sept. 15, 2017, the spacecraft made its final approach to the giant planet. This time, Cassini dived into the planet’s atmosphere, sending science data for as long as its small thrusters could keep the spacecraft’s antenna pointed at Earth. Soon after, Cassini burned up and disintegrated like a meteor in the skies high above Saturn’s clouds.\n\nAlthough the spacecraft may be gone, its enormous collection of data about Saturn – the giant planet itself, its magnetosphere, rings and moons – will continue to yield new discoveries for decades.\n\nNASA’s Cassini spacecraft and ESA’s Huygens probe expanded our understanding of the kinds of worlds where life might exist and eight more reasons the mission changed the course of planetary exploration.\n\nKeep Exploring\n\n## Discover More Topics From NASA\n\n[Sun ![](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pia03149-copy.jpg?w=1536)](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/sun\/)\n\n[Planets ![](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/planets3x3-pluto-colormercury-axis-tilt-nolabels-1080p.00001-print.jpg?w=1024)](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/planets\/)\n\n[Asteroids, Comets & Meteors ![](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/bennu-banner-1920x640-1.jpg?w=1536)](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/asteroids-comets-meteors\/)\n\n[Kuiper Belt ![](https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/psd\/solar\/2023\/06\/PIA22190_1600.jpg?w=1600&h=800&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/kuiper-belt\/)\n\n![NASA Logo](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa-child\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo@2x.png)\n\n### National Aeronautics and Space Administration\nNASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery.\n\n- [About NASA's Mission](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/about\/)\n\n[Join Us](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/get-involved\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/)\n- [News & Events](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/)\n- [Multimedia](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/multimedia\/)\n- [NASA+](https:\/\/plus.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Missions](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-missions\/)\n- [Humans in Space](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/)\n- [Earth](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/)\n- [The Solar System](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/solar-system\/)\n- [The Universe](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/universe\/)\n- [Science](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Aeronautics](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/aeronautics\/)\n- [Technology](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/technology\/)\n- [Learning Resources](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources\/)\n- [About NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/about\/)\n- [NASA en Español](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/es\/)\n\n### Follow NASA\n- [More NASA Social Accounts](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/social-media\/)\n- [NASA Newsletters](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-newsletters\/)\n\n- [Sitemap](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/sitemap\/)\n- [For Media](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/news\/nasa-media-contacts\/)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/nasa-web-privacy-policy-and-important-notices\/)\n- [FOIA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/foia\/)\n- [No FEAR Act](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/no-fear-act\/)\n- [Office of the IG](http:\/\/oig.nasa.gov\/)\n- [Budget & Annual Reports](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/budgets-plans-and-reports\/)\n- [Agency Financial Reports](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/organizations\/budget-annual-reports\/agency-financial-reports\/)\n- [Contact NASA](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/contact-nasa\/)\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/accessibility\/)\n\n- Page Last Updated:\n  May 14, 2025\n- Page Editor:\n  AMANDA BARNETT\n- Responsible NASA Official for Science:\n  Diana Logreira\n\n×","attrs_readable_markdown":"Cassini was one of the most ambitious efforts ever mounted in planetary exploration. A joint endeavor of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency), and the Italian space agency (ASI), Cassini was a sophisticated robotic spacecraft sent to study Saturn and its complex system of rings and moons in unprecedented detail.\n\nCassini carried a probe called [Huygens](https:\/\/solarsystem.nasa.gov\/missions\/huygens\/in-depth\/) to the Saturn system. The probe, which was built by ESA, parachuted to the surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, in January 2005—the most distant landing to date in our solar system. Huygens returned spectacular images and other science results during a two-and-a-half-hour descent through Titan’s hazy atmosphere, before coming to rest amid rounded cobbles of ice on a floodplain damp with liquid methane.\n\nCassini completed its initial four-year mission in June 2008 and earned two mission extensions that enabled the team to delve even deeper into Saturn’s mysteries. Key discoveries during its 13 years at Saturn included a global ocean with strong indications of hydrothermal activity within Enceladus and liquid methane seas on Titan. The mission ended on Sept. 15, 2017.\n\n## Mission Science Objectives\n[**Saturn**](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/overview\/)—Study cloud properties and atmospheric composition, winds and temperatures, internal structure and rotation, ionosphere, origin, and evolution\n\n[**Rings**](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/rings\/)—Observe their structure and composition, dynamical processes, interrelation of rings and satellites, dust and micrometeoroid environment\n\n[**Titan**](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/titan\/)—Study abundances of atmospheric constituents, distribution of trace gases and aerosols, winds and temperatures, composition and state of the surface, and upper atmosphere\n\n[**Icy Satellites**](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/moons\/)—Determine their characteristics and geological histories; study mechanisms of surface modification, surface composition and distribution, overall composition and internal structure, and their interactions with Saturn’s magnetosphere\n\n[**Saturn’s Magnetosphere**](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/magnetosphere\/)—Study its structure and electric currents; composition, sources, and sinks of particles within it; dynamics; interaction with the solar wind, satellites, and rings; Titan’s interaction with solar wind and magnetosphere\n\n## Cassini's Top Discoveries\nRepresenting just a sampling, some of Cassini’s top accomplishments and discoveries are:\n\n- ESA’s Huygens probe parachuted to Titan, making the first landing on a moon in the outer solar system\n- Discovered [icy plumes spraying from fractures on Saturn’s moon Enceladus](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/enceladus\/), leading to the understanding that the moon possesses a global ocean of liquid water, likely with hydrothermal activity on the seafloor\n- Found [Saturn’s rings](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/science\/rings\/) to be active and dynamic — a laboratory for how planets or moons form\n- [Revealed Titan](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/saturn\/moons\/titan\/) to have rain, rivers, lakes, and seas; it is shrouded in a thick, nitrogen-rich atmosphere that might be similar to what Earth’s was like long ago\n- Observed the formation and development of Saturn’s great northern storm of 2010–2011, which eventually encircled the entire planet for months\n- Revealed radio-wave patterns (known as “SKR”) are not tied to Saturn’s interior rotation, as previously thought\n- Imaged vertical structures in the rings for the first time; they appear to be made up of particles piled up in bumps or ridges more than 2 miles (3 km) high\n- Studied Titan’s prebiotic chemistry\n- Solved the mystery of the dual, bright-dark surface of the moon Iapetus – it is thought that one side of the moon’s topmost ice layer has sublimated (vaporized), leaving a dark, carbon-rich coating on that side while the ice condensed on the other side, making it appear brighter\n- Captured the first complete view of the hexagon-shaped jet stream that surrounds Saturn’s north pole and discovered a giant hurricane-like vortex at both of the planet’s poles\n## Grand Finale\nIn late 2016, the Cassini spacecraft began a daring set of orbits called the [Grand Finale](https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/cassini\/grand-finale\/overview\/), which were in many ways like a whole new mission. The spacecraft repeatedly climbed high above Saturn’s poles, flying just outside its narrow F ring 20 times.\n\nAfter a last targeted Titan flyby, the spacecraft dove between Saturn’s uppermost atmosphere and its innermost ring 22 times. As Cassini plunged past Saturn, it collected rich and valuable information far beyond the mission’s original plan, including measuring Saturn’s gravitational and magnetic fields with ultrafine precision, determining the mass of the rings, directly sampling the atmosphere and ionosphere, and capturing incredible up-close views of the planet and the rings.\n\nOn Sept. 15, 2017, the spacecraft made its final approach to the giant planet. This time, Cassini dived into the planet’s atmosphere, sending science data for as long as its small thrusters could keep the spacecraft’s antenna pointed at Earth. Soon after, Cassini burned up and disintegrated like a meteor in the skies high above Saturn’s clouds.\n\nAlthough the spacecraft may be gone, its enormous collection of data about Saturn – the giant planet itself, its magnetosphere, rings and moons – will continue to yield new discoveries for decades.\n\nNASA’s Cassini spacecraft and ESA’s Huygens probe expanded our understanding of the kinds of worlds where life might exist and eight more reasons the mission changed the course of planetary exploration.\n\nKeep Exploring\n\n## Discover More Topics From NASA","meta_canonical":null}

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URL	https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/about-the-mission/
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Meta Title	Cassini: About the Mission - NASA Science
Meta Description	Cassini was one of the most ambitious efforts ever mounted in planetary exploration. A joint endeavor of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency), and the
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Boilerpipe Text	Cassini was one of the most ambitious efforts ever mounted in planetary exploration. A joint endeavor of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency), and the Italian space agency (ASI), Cassini was a sophisticated robotic spacecraft sent to study Saturn and its complex system of rings and moons in unprecedented detail. Cassini carried a probe called Huygens to the Saturn system. The probe, which was built by ESA, parachuted to the surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, in January 2005—the most distant landing to date in our solar system. Huygens returned spectacular images and other science results during a two-and-a-half-hour descent through Titan’s hazy atmosphere, before coming to rest amid rounded cobbles of ice on a floodplain damp with liquid methane. Cassini completed its initial four-year mission in June 2008 and earned two mission extensions that enabled the team to delve even deeper into Saturn’s mysteries. Key discoveries during its 13 years at Saturn included a global ocean with strong indications of hydrothermal activity within Enceladus and liquid methane seas on Titan. The mission ended on Sept. 15, 2017. Mission Science Objectives Saturn —Study cloud properties and atmospheric composition, winds and temperatures, internal structure and rotation, ionosphere, origin, and evolution Rings —Observe their structure and composition, dynamical processes, interrelation of rings and satellites, dust and micrometeoroid environment Titan —Study abundances of atmospheric constituents, distribution of trace gases and aerosols, winds and temperatures, composition and state of the surface, and upper atmosphere Icy Satellites —Determine their characteristics and geological histories; study mechanisms of surface modification, surface composition and distribution, overall composition and internal structure, and their interactions with Saturn’s magnetosphere Saturn’s Magnetosphere —Study its structure and electric currents; composition, sources, and sinks of particles within it; dynamics; interaction with the solar wind, satellites, and rings; Titan’s interaction with solar wind and magnetosphere Cassini's Top Discoveries Representing just a sampling, some of Cassini’s top accomplishments and discoveries are: ESA’s Huygens probe parachuted to Titan, making the first landing on a moon in the outer solar system Discovered icy plumes spraying from fractures on Saturn’s moon Enceladus , leading to the understanding that the moon possesses a global ocean of liquid water, likely with hydrothermal activity on the seafloor Found Saturn’s rings to be active and dynamic — a laboratory for how planets or moons form Revealed Titan to have rain, rivers, lakes, and seas; it is shrouded in a thick, nitrogen-rich atmosphere that might be similar to what Earth’s was like long ago Observed the formation and development of Saturn’s great northern storm of 2010–2011, which eventually encircled the entire planet for months Revealed radio-wave patterns (known as “SKR”) are not tied to Saturn’s interior rotation, as previously thought Imaged vertical structures in the rings for the first time; they appear to be made up of particles piled up in bumps or ridges more than 2 miles (3 km) high Studied Titan’s prebiotic chemistry Solved the mystery of the dual, bright-dark surface of the moon Iapetus – it is thought that one side of the moon’s topmost ice layer has sublimated (vaporized), leaving a dark, carbon-rich coating on that side while the ice condensed on the other side, making it appear brighter Captured the first complete view of the hexagon-shaped jet stream that surrounds Saturn’s north pole and discovered a giant hurricane-like vortex at both of the planet’s poles Grand Finale In late 2016, the Cassini spacecraft began a daring set of orbits called the Grand Finale , which were in many ways like a whole new mission. The spacecraft repeatedly climbed high above Saturn’s poles, flying just outside its narrow F ring 20 times. After a last targeted Titan flyby, the spacecraft dove between Saturn’s uppermost atmosphere and its innermost ring 22 times. As Cassini plunged past Saturn, it collected rich and valuable information far beyond the mission’s original plan, including measuring Saturn’s gravitational and magnetic fields with ultrafine precision, determining the mass of the rings, directly sampling the atmosphere and ionosphere, and capturing incredible up-close views of the planet and the rings. On Sept. 15, 2017, the spacecraft made its final approach to the giant planet. This time, Cassini dived into the planet’s atmosphere, sending science data for as long as its small thrusters could keep the spacecraft’s antenna pointed at Earth. Soon after, Cassini burned up and disintegrated like a meteor in the skies high above Saturn’s clouds. Although the spacecraft may be gone, its enormous collection of data about Saturn – the giant planet itself, its magnetosphere, rings and moons – will continue to yield new discoveries for decades. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft and ESA’s Huygens probe expanded our understanding of the kinds of worlds where life might exist and eight more reasons the mission changed the course of planetary exploration. Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA
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ago](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/astronauts/la-nasa-refuerza-artemis-anade-una-mision-y-perfecciona-su-arquitectura-general/) Explore This Section 1. […](https://science.nasa.gov/science-missions/) 2. [Cassini-Huygens](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/) 3. Cassini: About the Mission - [Cassini Home](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/) - Overview - [Why Cassini Mattered](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/grand-finale/why-cassini-mattered/) - [Timeline](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/cassini-mission-timeline/) - [Quick Facts](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/cassini-quick-facts/) - Science - [Overview](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/overview/) - [Rings](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/rings/) - [Titan](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/titan/) - [Enceladus](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/enceladus/) - [Moons](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/moons/) - [Magnetosphere](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/magnetosphere/) - Mission - [About the Mission](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/about-the-mission/) - [Spacecraft](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/spacecraft/cassini-orbiter/) - [The Grand Finale](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/grand-finale/overview/) - [The Team](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/team/) - [Top 10s](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/top-tens/) - [Saturn Tour](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/tour/) - [FAQ](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/faq/) - Multimedia - [All Multimedia](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/multimedia) - [Audio](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/multimedia/audio/?types=audio) - [Featured Raw Images](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/multimedia/featured-raw-images/) - [Graphics](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/multimedia/graphics/?types=graphics) - [Hall of Fame](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/multimedia/hall-of-fame/?topics=hall+of+fame) - [Images](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/multimedia/?types=images) - [Videos](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/multimedia/videos/?types=videos) # Cassini: About the Mission ![](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/psd/solar/internal_resources/1939/cassini_banner_final.jpg?w=1600&h=500&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) Cassini was one of the most ambitious efforts ever mounted in planetary exploration. A joint endeavor of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency), and the Italian space agency (ASI), Cassini was a sophisticated robotic spacecraft sent to study Saturn and its complex system of rings and moons in unprecedented detail. Cassini carried a probe called [Huygens](https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/huygens/in-depth/) to the Saturn system. The probe, which was built by ESA, parachuted to the surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, in January 2005—the most distant landing to date in our solar system. Huygens returned spectacular images and other science results during a two-and-a-half-hour descent through Titan’s hazy atmosphere, before coming to rest amid rounded cobbles of ice on a floodplain damp with liquid methane. Cassini completed its initial four-year mission in June 2008 and earned two mission extensions that enabled the team to delve even deeper into Saturn’s mysteries. Key discoveries during its 13 years at Saturn included a global ocean with strong indications of hydrothermal activity within Enceladus and liquid methane seas on Titan. The mission ended on Sept. 15, 2017. ## Mission Science Objectives [Saturn](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/overview/)—Study cloud properties and atmospheric composition, winds and temperatures, internal structure and rotation, ionosphere, origin, and evolution [Rings](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/rings/)—Observe their structure and composition, dynamical processes, interrelation of rings and satellites, dust and micrometeoroid environment [Titan](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/titan/)—Study abundances of atmospheric constituents, distribution of trace gases and aerosols, winds and temperatures, composition and state of the surface, and upper atmosphere [Icy Satellites](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/moons/)—Determine their characteristics and geological histories; study mechanisms of surface modification, surface composition and distribution, overall composition and internal structure, and their interactions with Saturn’s magnetosphere [Saturn’s Magnetosphere**](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/magnetosphere/)—Study its structure and electric currents; composition, sources, and sinks of particles within it; dynamics; interaction with the solar wind, satellites, and rings; Titan’s interaction with solar wind and magnetosphere [![A color-enhanced image shows cloud patterns moving around a hexagon -shaped storm om Satirm.](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/content/dam/science/psd/solar/internal_resources/1490/hex_gif.gif?w=1024&h=1024&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/content/dam/science/psd/solar/internal_resources/1490/hex_gif.gif?w=1024&h=1024&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint) This colorful view from NASA's Cassini mission is the highest-resolution view of the unique six-sided jet stream at Saturn's north pole known as "the hexagon." This movie, made from images obtained by Cassini's imaging cameras, is the first to show the hexagon in color filters, and the first movie to show a complete view from the north pole down to about 70 degrees north latitude. NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI/Hampton University ## Cassini's Top Discoveries Representing just a sampling, some of Cassini’s top accomplishments and discoveries are: - ESA’s Huygens probe parachuted to Titan, making the first landing on a moon in the outer solar system - Discovered [icy plumes spraying from fractures on Saturn’s moon Enceladus](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/enceladus/), leading to the understanding that the moon possesses a global ocean of liquid water, likely with hydrothermal activity on the seafloor - Found [Saturn’s rings](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/rings/) to be active and dynamic — a laboratory for how planets or moons form - [Revealed Titan](https://science.nasa.gov/saturn/moons/titan/) to have rain, rivers, lakes, and seas; it is shrouded in a thick, nitrogen-rich atmosphere that might be similar to what Earth’s was like long ago - Observed the formation and development of Saturn’s great northern storm of 2010–2011, which eventually encircled the entire planet for months - Revealed radio-wave patterns (known as “SKR”) are not tied to Saturn’s interior rotation, as previously thought - Imaged vertical structures in the rings for the first time; they appear to be made up of particles piled up in bumps or ridges more than 2 miles (3 km) high - Studied Titan’s prebiotic chemistry - Solved the mystery of the dual, bright-dark surface of the moon Iapetus – it is thought that one side of the moon’s topmost ice layer has sublimated (vaporized), leaving a dark, carbon-rich coating on that side while the ice condensed on the other side, making it appear brighter - Captured the first complete view of the hexagon-shaped jet stream that surrounds Saturn’s north pole and discovered a giant hurricane-like vortex at both of the planet’s poles ## Grand Finale In late 2016, the Cassini spacecraft began a daring set of orbits called the [Grand Finale](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/grand-finale/overview/), which were in many ways like a whole new mission. The spacecraft repeatedly climbed high above Saturn’s poles, flying just outside its narrow F ring 20 times. After a last targeted Titan flyby, the spacecraft dove between Saturn’s uppermost atmosphere and its innermost ring 22 times. As Cassini plunged past Saturn, it collected rich and valuable information far beyond the mission’s original plan, including measuring Saturn’s gravitational and magnetic fields with ultrafine precision, determining the mass of the rings, directly sampling the atmosphere and ionosphere, and capturing incredible up-close views of the planet and the rings. On Sept. 15, 2017, the spacecraft made its final approach to the giant planet. This time, Cassini dived into the planet’s atmosphere, sending science data for as long as its small thrusters could keep the spacecraft’s antenna pointed at Earth. Soon after, Cassini burned up and disintegrated like a meteor in the skies high above Saturn’s clouds. Although the spacecraft may be gone, its enormous collection of data about Saturn – the giant planet itself, its magnetosphere, rings and moons – will continue to yield new discoveries for decades. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft and ESA’s Huygens probe expanded our understanding of the kinds of worlds where life might exist and eight more reasons the mission changed the course of planetary exploration. Keep Exploring ## Discover More Topics From NASA [Sun ![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/pia03149-copy.jpg?w=1536)](https://science.nasa.gov/sun/) [Planets ![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/planets3x3-pluto-colormercury-axis-tilt-nolabels-1080p.00001-print.jpg?w=1024)](https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/planets/) [Asteroids, Comets & Meteors ![](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bennu-banner-1920x640-1.jpg?w=1536)](https://science.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-meteors/) [Kuiper Belt ![](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/dynamicimage/assets/science/psd/solar/2023/06/PIA22190_1600.jpg?w=1600&h=800&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint)](https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/kuiper-belt/) ![NASA Logo](https://science.nasa.gov/wp-content/themes/nasa-child/assets/images/nasa-logo@2x.png) ### National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery. - [About NASA's Mission](https://www.nasa.gov/about/) [Join Us](https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/) - [Home](https://www.nasa.gov/) - [News & Events](https://www.nasa.gov/news/) - [Multimedia](https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/) - [NASA+](https://plus.nasa.gov/) - [Missions](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-missions/) - [Humans in Space](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/) - [Earth](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/) - [The Solar System](https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/) - [The Universe](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/) - [Science](https://science.nasa.gov/) - [Aeronautics](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/) - [Technology](https://www.nasa.gov/technology/) - [Learning Resources](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/) - [About NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/about/) - [NASA en Español](https://www.nasa.gov/es/) ### Follow NASA - [More NASA Social Accounts](https://www.nasa.gov/social-media/) - [NASA Newsletters](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-newsletters/) - [Sitemap](https://www.nasa.gov/sitemap/) - [For Media](https://www.nasa.gov/news/nasa-media-contacts/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-web-privacy-policy-and-important-notices/) - [FOIA](https://www.nasa.gov/foia/) - [No FEAR Act](https://www.nasa.gov/no-fear-act/) - [Office of the IG](http://oig.nasa.gov/) - [Budget & Annual Reports](https://www.nasa.gov/budgets-plans-and-reports/) - [Agency Financial Reports](https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/budget-annual-reports/agency-financial-reports/) - [Contact NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/contact-nasa/) - [Accessibility](https://www.nasa.gov/accessibility/) - Page Last Updated: May 14, 2025 - Page Editor: AMANDA BARNETT - Responsible NASA Official for Science: Diana Logreira ×
Readable Markdown	Cassini was one of the most ambitious efforts ever mounted in planetary exploration. A joint endeavor of NASA, ESA (the European Space Agency), and the Italian space agency (ASI), Cassini was a sophisticated robotic spacecraft sent to study Saturn and its complex system of rings and moons in unprecedented detail. Cassini carried a probe called [Huygens](https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/huygens/in-depth/) to the Saturn system. The probe, which was built by ESA, parachuted to the surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, in January 2005—the most distant landing to date in our solar system. Huygens returned spectacular images and other science results during a two-and-a-half-hour descent through Titan’s hazy atmosphere, before coming to rest amid rounded cobbles of ice on a floodplain damp with liquid methane. Cassini completed its initial four-year mission in June 2008 and earned two mission extensions that enabled the team to delve even deeper into Saturn’s mysteries. Key discoveries during its 13 years at Saturn included a global ocean with strong indications of hydrothermal activity within Enceladus and liquid methane seas on Titan. The mission ended on Sept. 15, 2017. ## Mission Science Objectives [Saturn](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/overview/)—Study cloud properties and atmospheric composition, winds and temperatures, internal structure and rotation, ionosphere, origin, and evolution [Rings](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/rings/)—Observe their structure and composition, dynamical processes, interrelation of rings and satellites, dust and micrometeoroid environment [Titan](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/titan/)—Study abundances of atmospheric constituents, distribution of trace gases and aerosols, winds and temperatures, composition and state of the surface, and upper atmosphere [Icy Satellites](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/moons/)—Determine their characteristics and geological histories; study mechanisms of surface modification, surface composition and distribution, overall composition and internal structure, and their interactions with Saturn’s magnetosphere [Saturn’s Magnetosphere](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/magnetosphere/)—Study its structure and electric currents; composition, sources, and sinks of particles within it; dynamics; interaction with the solar wind, satellites, and rings; Titan’s interaction with solar wind and magnetosphere ## Cassini's Top Discoveries Representing just a sampling, some of Cassini’s top accomplishments and discoveries are: - ESA’s Huygens probe parachuted to Titan, making the first landing on a moon in the outer solar system - Discovered [icy plumes spraying from fractures on Saturn’s moon Enceladus](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/enceladus/), leading to the understanding that the moon possesses a global ocean of liquid water, likely with hydrothermal activity on the seafloor - Found [Saturn’s rings](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/rings/) to be active and dynamic — a laboratory for how planets or moons form - [Revealed Titan](https://science.nasa.gov/saturn/moons/titan/) to have rain, rivers, lakes, and seas; it is shrouded in a thick, nitrogen-rich atmosphere that might be similar to what Earth’s was like long ago - Observed the formation and development of Saturn’s great northern storm of 2010–2011, which eventually encircled the entire planet for months - Revealed radio-wave patterns (known as “SKR”) are not tied to Saturn’s interior rotation, as previously thought - Imaged vertical structures in the rings for the first time; they appear to be made up of particles piled up in bumps or ridges more than 2 miles (3 km) high - Studied Titan’s prebiotic chemistry - Solved the mystery of the dual, bright-dark surface of the moon Iapetus – it is thought that one side of the moon’s topmost ice layer has sublimated (vaporized), leaving a dark, carbon-rich coating on that side while the ice condensed on the other side, making it appear brighter - Captured the first complete view of the hexagon-shaped jet stream that surrounds Saturn’s north pole and discovered a giant hurricane-like vortex at both of the planet’s poles ## Grand Finale In late 2016, the Cassini spacecraft began a daring set of orbits called the [Grand Finale](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/grand-finale/overview/), which were in many ways like a whole new mission. The spacecraft repeatedly climbed high above Saturn’s poles, flying just outside its narrow F ring 20 times. After a last targeted Titan flyby, the spacecraft dove between Saturn’s uppermost atmosphere and its innermost ring 22 times. As Cassini plunged past Saturn, it collected rich and valuable information far beyond the mission’s original plan, including measuring Saturn’s gravitational and magnetic fields with ultrafine precision, determining the mass of the rings, directly sampling the atmosphere and ionosphere, and capturing incredible up-close views of the planet and the rings. On Sept. 15, 2017, the spacecraft made its final approach to the giant planet. This time, Cassini dived into the planet’s atmosphere, sending science data for as long as its small thrusters could keep the spacecraft’s antenna pointed at Earth. Soon after, Cassini burned up and disintegrated like a meteor in the skies high above Saturn’s clouds. Although the spacecraft may be gone, its enormous collection of data about Saturn – the giant planet itself, its magnetosphere, rings and moons – will continue to yield new discoveries for decades. NASA’s Cassini spacecraft and ESA’s Huygens probe expanded our understanding of the kinds of worlds where life might exist and eight more reasons the mission changed the course of planetary exploration. Keep Exploring ## Discover More Topics From NASA
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