Preview Cassini's Grand Finale

NASA held a news conference at noon PDT (3 p.m. EDT) Tuesday, April 4, at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, to preview the beginning of Cassini's final mission segment, known as the Grand Finale, which begins in late April.

Cassini has been orbiting Saturn since June 2004, studying the planet, its rings and its moons. A final close flyby of Saturn's moon Titan on April 22 will reshape the Cassini spacecraft's orbit so that it begins its final series of 22 weekly dives through the unexplored gap between the planet and its rings. The first of these dives is planned for April 26. Following these closer-than-ever encounters with the giant planet, Cassini will make a mission-ending plunge into Saturn's upper atmosphere on Sept. 15.

The panelists:

Jim Green, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division at the agency's headquarters in Washington
Earl Maize, Cassini project manager at JPL
Linda Spilker, Cassini project scientist at JPL
Joan Stupik, Cassini guidance and control engineer at JPL

[coblt_blu]

This is beautiful, these people are awesome. Thank you! You guys are incredible, thank you for this amazing work!

[luis-lpz]

Can't wait for the finale. It is going to be great getting that close to the planet.

[VR_Wizard]

I have a picture of Enceladus and it's tiger stripes as my permanent desktop background. Best mission ever I love you NASA.

[davidbuschhorn]

In its final moments, Cassini sends the message, "My God... it's full of... stars."

[billhart]

Truly an extraordinary in the science revealed, but even more on the decades-long commitment of the hundreds of scientists, engineers, technicians and other team members that made this possible. Science sets the bar very high in seeking the greatest return and benefit to all in spite of political volatility and pettiness. Congratulations on a job well done, and looking forward to "The Grand Finale"!

[rosaevelynsalas]

Farewell dear Cassini. .we will not be seeing you anymore yet you will be in our hearts till the end. ..thank you for the knowledge you've imparted to us...

[soumyamishra]

An epic journey by Cassini because it has enlightened in the way taking us to next level. Thanks to Cassini team, NASA and ESA

[videosaala]

Thats marriage of Earth and Saturn! via Cassini!! A part of Earth becoming one with Saturn's atmosphere...

[Blastbarnacle]

*A real engineer would have found a way to get Cassini out of orbit and into space.*

[NicosMind]

Fuck Mars 2020. Let men do that. Lets get a Titan 2030 or soonest possible

[eliasgallegos]

Audio is better at NASA's channel, at least for headphones!!!

[syahrilsabtu]

it's hard to say goodbye to Cassini. :(