JPL and the Space Age: Triumph at Saturn (Part II)

Chronicling the story of NASA’s Cassini mission, this is the latest in our series of documentaries, “JPL and the Space Age.” These films use rare archival footage and interviews with pioneering engineers and scientists from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in retelling of many of humanity’s first steps into the cosmos.

[larrysteimle]

I'm one of the many who worked on this marvelous spacecraft. JPL optical engineer. My last project before I retired July 24, 1996. Double kudos to the navigation team. Amazing!

[troruaz]

By complete random chance I happened to be traveling for work back in '97 to Cocoa Beach FL and got the tip to catch the launch of this "Cassini" thing that you can see easily from the beaches there. I set my alarm for the wee hours of the morning, walked down to the beach and dug my toes in the sand and watched with awe at liftoff. From that instant and all the time between, I followed the mission to the end. In those years, I learned so much as the world did about Saturn and all the new mysteries to unravel. Sometimes us humans can really do amazing things. Thank you Cassini and all the legions of people who made it happen.

[MrWhiteav]

I wish films like these were in our movie theatres, they deserve it and more, can you imagine IMAX? Our universe is so much more interesting than any story a human being can create. I have a couple telescopes at home and everytime I see Saturn and those rings, I think of Cassini plunging in that atmosphere of hydrogen and helium, pointing its radios back to that pale blue dot even in its final seconds, fighting with every thuster it has. Its amazing how we can feel so much empathy even for a machine. Thank you, everyone, sincerely at JPL and every nation that collaborated with us to make this happen. A lesson for humanity. Together, there's nothing we can't do.

[FREDNAJAH]

I had a tear for Cassini's end only after 3 hours of video imagine 13 years would be a lot harder. thank you.

[theendofanerror]

I wonder if anyone realized the date chosen to end the mission was 305 years and 1 day to the day Cassini himself died. I found something poetic in that this spacecraft went around the same time it's namesake went. Now I'm going to watch part one again just to feel like Cassini was resurrected to get rid of the sadness of its demise.

Absolutely THE BEST documentary! Bravo JPL!!

[jayhoward]

Great production. This should be shown in every middle and high school in this country. Vision, risk assessment, collaborative decision making, cost analysis, and the quest for exploration. All wrapped up in one of mankind’s greatest achievements.

[bartcolen]

The only thing more impressive than the mission itself is the cooperation behind it.

Between Europe and the United States and all of the people on either side, it just goes to show that the future of humanity is cooperation, not competition.

These people make me proud to be human.

It's a beautiful thing and something to be hugely optimistic about.

[sayyedalirafi]

As someone who have experience in analyzing Cassini's spectrum data, I have goosebumps watching this. Kudos to NASA JPL for making such beautiful documentary!

[GiuseppeSan]

It makes me sad that such a beautifully produced, inspiring story doesn't have millions of views

[billybobcobb]

Posting these is a service to humanity

[HW]

Let's all pray JWST will go as smoothly as Cassini

[luisfranco]

Back in 2010 I had the privilege of leading the team that designed the 3rd floor data center at the JPL mission control building. It was a great project but working with the super genii was like herding cats in a thunderstorm.

[lukemitchell]

That ending sequence made me tear up all over again. What a fantastic mission, an impossibly amazing spacecraft, an exceptionally brilliant team, and a great presentation. Truly awe inspiring. This success certainly earned its place in the chronicle of human history.

[modeschar]

That intro lol. Robert Picardo doing an obvious nod to a scene with The Doctor in Star Trek Voyager made my morning.

[IanWatson]

I didn't expect to spend my evening crying at Cassini's Grand Finale. Thanks to everyone at JPL for their efforts, and to the documentary crew for the excellent video.

[klangklang]

I had to pause it after the first minute to laugh, that song had me absolutely rolling 😂 "have some linguini" I love nerds so much

[WimukthiBandara]

Finally the true sendoff to Cassini that it deserved. Perhaps the most productive solar system probe ever. Thank you JPL for this and to all the amazing people that worked on this project basically their entire career.

[superginrai]

A truly wondrous mission. I felt genuinely sad for the people involved as the Cassini mission ended. A heartfelt thank you to all of them.

[OnceAJay]

I cried, because I was proud of the team, for doing such an incredible accomplishment for us all. Thank you for helping humanity!

[speedball]

The guidance officers ( Tour Guides) for the Cassini mission were exceptionally good. There are sooo many obstacles and different gravitational fields around Saturn and it’s 82 Moons, most of which they didn’t even know about.