The Last Thing A NASA Spacecraft Saw Before Plunging Into Saturn

The Last Thing A NASA Spacecraft Saw Before Plunging Into Saturn

After its mission was complete, the spacecraft crashed into Saturn to protect the planet's moons.

NASA's Cassini Mission Ends with a Dramatic Plunge into Saturn’s Atmosphere

On September 15, 2017, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft made its final journey into the heart of Saturn, marking the end of an extraordinary 13-year mission dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the gas giant, its moons, and its rings. After more than 293 orbits of Saturn, Cassini sent back its final images and data, just before its deliberate plunge into the planet’s atmosphere. This groundbreaking mission, launched in 1997, greatly expanded our un…