![On July 1, 2004, NASA let loose of the spacecraft to study Saturn. [Image via Wikimedia Commons/NASA/JPL]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/9/12/660x290/b_502x220x82/nasas-cassini-spacecraft-draws-to-an-end-of-its-journey-wikimedia-commonsnasajpl_1565633.jpg "On July 1, 2004, NASA let loose of the spacecraft to study Saturn. [Image via Wikimedia Commons/NASA/JPL]")
It has been 14 years since NASA launched the Cassini Spacecraft on Saturn. Since then Cassini has been exploring the ringed planet and it is all set to conclude with its final chapter. On July 1, 2004, NASA let loose of the spacecraft to study Saturn, and there has been no other spacecraft that knows Saturn so deeply as Cassini.
The Saturn mission has given scientists an in-depth understanding of the gas giant. Plus, scientists were also able to study Saturn's moons. The spacecraft has spent more than a decade studying the patterns and surrounding of the planet.
Cassini has provided astronomers with information of the planets atmospheres, cloud tops, and storms.
Cassini was more than successful than expected
Cassini's program scientist Curt Niebur from NASA stated that the spacecraft has exceeded their expectations. " It has done better than we could have ever dreamed," Curt said. NASA has been able to study the changes in Saturn's seasons ever since 2004.
Saturn's rings stretch more than eight times of the planet's radius. The probe successfully passed through the ring system and the dozens of Saturn's moons. After the probe circling the entire planet, scientists were able to watch a storm erupt and run over its own tail. They were also able to send the probe to Saturn's largest moon, Titan.
That helped scientists to study the methane lakes, seas, and rivers on the surface.
Cassini has traveled a long way through the geyser jets of the tiny moon Enceladus. It also discovered an ice-covered ocean on Enceladus. Titan and Enceladus are two new worlds, and they were revealed by the Cassini spacecraft.
Cassini will make its final dive into Saturn
After unlocking several mysteries the probe will make its final dive into the planet. Cassini will stop sending images to NASA, but all data gathered with its instruments will be sent back until the end. As soon as the spacecraft enters Saturn's upper atmosphere layer, the first protective blankets will burn out.
Once it passes through the atmosphere in about 20 seconds, it will reach the aluminum melting point. The iridium will be the last piece of material to be destroyed as the entire spacecraft will be melted within one minute. The last dive will take place at noon on the planet's dayside as scientists will be able to watch the demise of the great Cassini spacecraft. It has been an excellent journey by far, and NASA has received extensive data on Saturn.
