cassini orbiter

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Launch of Cassini Orbiter & Huygens Probe

Launch of Cassini Orbiter & Huygens Probe

(October 15, 1997) A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, ... More

Preparations for adding Cassini's propulsion module

Preparations for adding Cassini's propulsion module

(July 2, 1997) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) technicians clean and prepare the upper equipment module for mating with the nuclear propulsion module subsystem of the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Se... More

Liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe

Liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its at...

Description: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. This spect... More

Inspecting Cassini's nuclear power source

Inspecting Cassini's nuclear power source

(June 17, 1997) Environmental Health Specialist Jamie A. Keeley of EG&G Florida Inc., KSC's base operations contractor, uses an ion chamber dose rate meter to measure radiation levels in one of the three radioi... More

Repair to the Huygens probe. NASA public domain image colelction.

Repair to the Huygens probe. NASA public domain image colelction.

(September 10, 1997) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) workers examine the Huygens probe after removal from the Cassini spacecraft in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) at KSC. The spacecraft was ret... More

The Huygens probe, which will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, as part of the Cassini mission to Saturn, is prepared for transport from the Skid Strip, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS), after being off-loaded from a plane. The probe was designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA) by a European industrial consortium led by Aerospatiale as prime contractor. Over the past year, it was integrated and tested at the facilities of Daimler Benz Aerospace Dornier Satellitensysteme in Germany. The probe will be mated to the Cassini orbiter, which was designed and assembled at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. The Cassini launch is targeted for October 6 from CCAS aboard a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle. After arrival at Saturn in 2004, the probe will be released from the Cassini orbiter to slowly descend through the Titan atmosphere to the moon's surface KSC-97pc595

The Huygens probe, which will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface...

The Huygens probe, which will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, as part of the Cassini mission to Saturn, is prepared for transport from the Skid Strip, Cape Canaveral Ai... More

The Huygens probe, which will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn's moon, Titan, as part of the Cassini mission to Saturn, arrives in a cargo plane at the Skid Strip, Cape Canaveral Air Station (CCAS). The probe was designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA) by a European industrial consortium led by Aerospatiale as prime contractor. Over the past year, it was integrated and tested at the facilities of Daimler Benz Aerospace Dornier Satellitensysteme in Germany. The probe will be mated to the Cassini orbiter, which was designed and assembled at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. The Cassini launch is targeted for October 6 from CCAS aboard a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle. After arrival at Saturn in 2004, the probe will be released from the Cassini orbiter to enter the Titan atmosphere KSC-97pc594

The Huygens probe, which will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface...

The Huygens probe, which will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn's moon, Titan, as part of the Cassini mission to Saturn, arrives in a cargo plane at the Skid Strip, Cape Canaveral Air Station (... More

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility prepare to begin prelaunch processing of the Huygens probe, which will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturnþs largest moon, Titan, as part of the Cassini mission to Saturn. The probe was designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA) by a European industrial consortium led by Aerospatiale as prime contractor. Over the past year, it was integrated and tested at the facilities of Daimler Benz Aerospace Dornier Satellitensysteme in Germany. The probe will be mated to the Cassini orbiter, which was designed and assembled at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. The Cassini launch is targeted for October 6 from CCAS aboard a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle. After arrival at Saturn in 2004, the probe will be released from the Cassini orbiter to slowly descend through the Titan atmosphere to the moon's surface KSC-97pc610

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility prepare to begin p...

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility prepare to begin prelaunch processing of the Huygens probe, which will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturnþs largest moon, Titan, as part of th... More

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility prepare to begin prelaunch processing of the Huygens probe, which will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, as part of the Cassini mission to Saturn. The probe was designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA) by a European industrial consortium led by Aerospatiale as prime contractor. Over the past year, it was integrated and tested at the facilities of Daimler Benz Aerospace Dornier Satellitensysteme in Germany. The probe will be mated to the Cassini orbiter, which was designed and assembled at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. The Cassini launch is targeted for October 6 from CCAS aboard a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle. After arrival at Saturn in 2004, the probe will be released from the Cassini orbiter to slowly descend through the Titan atmosphere to the moon's surface KSC-97pc609

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility prepare to begin p...

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility prepare to begin prelaunch processing of the Huygens probe, which will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, as part of th... More

The descent module of the Titan-bound Huygens probe undergoes preflight processing on a support structure in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF). The probe will study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn's moon, Titan, as part of the Cassini mission to the Saturnian system. The cylinders on the top of the probe contain antennas; the small square box has a parachute. The probe will detach from the Cassini orbiter after arrival at Saturn in 2004 to slowly descend through Titan's atmosphere to the surface of the Saturn moon. The Cassini launch on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle is scheduled for October 6 from Cape Canaveral Air Station KSC-97pc652

The descent module of the Titan-bound Huygens probe undergoes prefligh...

The descent module of the Titan-bound Huygens probe undergoes preflight processing on a support structure in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF). The probe will study the clouds, atmosphere and surf... More

Workers offload the shipping container with the Cassini orbiter from what looks like a giant shark mouth, but is really an Air Force C-17 air cargo plane which /1997/66-97.htm">just landed</a> at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility from Edwards Air Force Base, California. The orbiter and the Huygens probe already being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc678

Workers offload the shipping container with the Cassini orbiter from w...

Workers offload the shipping container with the Cassini orbiter from what looks like a giant shark mouth, but is really an Air Force C-17 air cargo plane which kscpao/release/1997/66-97.htm">just landed</a> at ... More

Workers prepare to move the shipping container with the Cassini orbiter inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) for prelaunch processing, testing and integration. The /1997/66-97.htm">orbiter arrived</a> at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility in a U.S. Air Force C-17 air cargo plane from Edwards Air Force Base, California. The orbiter and the Huygens probe already being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc682

Workers prepare to move the shipping container with the Cassini orbite...

Workers prepare to move the shipping container with the Cassini orbiter inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) for prelaunch processing, testing and integration. The kscpao/release/1997/66-97.ht... More

Workers prepare to tow away the large container with the Cassini orbiter from KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. The orbiter /1997/66-97.htm">just arrived</a> on the U.S. Air Force C-17 air cargo plane, shown here, from Edwards Air Force Base, California. The orbiter and the Huygens probe already being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc679

Workers prepare to tow away the large container with the Cassini orbit...

Workers prepare to tow away the large container with the Cassini orbiter from KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility. The orbiter kscpao/release/1997/66-97.htm">just arrived</a> on the U.S. Air Force C-17 air cargo pla... More

Workers begin unloading the Cassini orbiter from a U.S. Air Force C-17 air cargo plane after its /1997/66-97.htm">arrival</a> at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility from Edwards Air Force Base, California. The orbiter and the Huygens probe already being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc677

Workers begin unloading the Cassini orbiter from a U.S. Air Force C-17...

Workers begin unloading the Cassini orbiter from a U.S. Air Force C-17 air cargo plane after its kscpao/release/1997/66-97.htm">arrival</a> at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility from Edwards Air Force Base, Califor... More

Workers prepare to move the shipping container with the Cassini orbiter inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) for prelaunch processing, testing and integration. The /1997/66-97.htm">orbiter arrived</a> at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility in a U.S. Air Force C-17 air cargo plane from Edwards Air Force Base, California. The orbiter and the Huygens probe already being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc681

Workers prepare to move the shipping container with the Cassini orbite...

Workers prepare to move the shipping container with the Cassini orbiter inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) for prelaunch processing, testing and integration. The kscpao/release/1997/66-97.ht... More

Workers prepare to move the shipping container with the Cassini orbiter inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) for prelaunch processing, testing and integration. The /1997/66-97.htm">orbiter arrived</a> at KSC’s Shuttle Landing Facility in a U.S. Air Force C-17 air cargo plane from Edwards Air Force Base, California. The orbiter and the Huygens probe already being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc680

Workers prepare to move the shipping container with the Cassini orbite...

Workers prepare to move the shipping container with the Cassini orbiter inside the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) for prelaunch processing, testing and integration. The kscpao/release/1997/66-97.ht... More

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews thermal insulation material on the front heat shield of the Huygens probe during prelaunch processing testing and integration in that facility, with the probe’s back cover in the background. The Huygens probe and the Cassini orbiter being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc729

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews th...

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews thermal insulation material on the front heat shield of the Huygens probe during prelaunch processing testing and integration in that facility... More

A worker in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) stands behind the bottom side of the experiment platform for the Huygens probe that will accompany the Cassini orbiter to Saturn during prelaunch processing testing and integration in that facility. The Huygens probe and the Cassini orbiter being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc732

A worker in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) stands beh...

A worker in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) stands behind the bottom side of the experiment platform for the Huygens probe that will accompany the Cassini orbiter to Saturn during prelaunch proc... More

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) stand around the upper experiment module and base of the Cassini orbiter during prelaunch processing, testing and integration in that facility. The Cassini orbiter and Huygens probe being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc731

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) stand aroun...

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) stand around the upper experiment module and base of the Cassini orbiter during prelaunch processing, testing and integration in that facility. The Cas... More

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) perform checkouts of the upper experiment module and base of the Cassini orbiter during prelaunch processing, testing and integration in that facility. The Cassini orbiter and Huygens probe being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc727

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) perform che...

Workers in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) perform checkouts of the upper experiment module and base of the Cassini orbiter during prelaunch processing, testing and integration in that facility.... More

Employees in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) lower the upper experiment module and base of the Cassini orbiter onto a work stand during prelaunch processing, testing and integration work in that facility. The Cassini orbiter and Huygens probe being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc726

Employees in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) lower the...

Employees in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) lower the upper experiment module and base of the Cassini orbiter onto a work stand during prelaunch processing, testing and integration work in that... More

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews thermal insulation material on the back cover and heat shield of the Huygens probe during prelaunch processing, testing and integration in that facility. The Huygens probe and the Cassini orbiter being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc728

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews th...

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) sews thermal insulation material on the back cover and heat shield of the Huygens probe during prelaunch processing, testing and integration in tha... More

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) works on the top side of the experiment platform for the Huygens probe that will accompany the Cassini orbiter to Saturn during prelaunch processing, testing and integration in that facility. The Huygens probe and the Cassini orbiter being processed at KSC are the two primary components of the Cassini spacecraft, which will be launched on a Titan IVB/Centaur expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Station. Cassini will explore Saturn, its rings and moons for four years. The Huygens probe, designed and developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), will be deployed from the orbiter to study the clouds, atmosphere and surface of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. The orbiter was designed and assembled at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. Following postflight inspections, integration of the 12 science instruments not already installed on the orbiter will be completed. Then, the parabolic high-gain antenna and the propulsion module will be mated to the orbiter, followed by the Huygens probe, which will complete spacecraft integration. The Cassini mission is targeted for an Oct. 6 launch to begin its 6.7-year journey to the Saturnian system. Arrival at the planet is expected to occur around July 1, 2004 KSC-97pc730

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) works o...

An employee in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) works on the top side of the experiment platform for the Huygens probe that will accompany the Cassini orbiter to Saturn during prelaunch processin... More

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) technicians clean and  prepare the upper equipment module for mating with the propulsion module subsystem of  the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July. A four- year, close-up study of the Saturnian system, the Cassini mission is scheduled for launch  from Cape Canaveral Air Station in October 1997. It will take seven years for the  spacecraft to reach Saturn. Scientific instruments carried aboard the spacecraft will study  Saturn’s atmosphere, magnetic field, rings, and several moons. JPL is managing the  Cassini project for NASA KSC-97PC1018

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) technicians clean and prepare the upp...

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) technicians clean and prepare the upper equipment module for mating with the propulsion module subsystem of the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at K... More

Technicians from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)  lower the upper equipment module over a propellant tank in the Payload Hazardous  Servicing Facility at KSC in July prior to installation on the Cassini orbiter. A four-year,  close-up study of the Saturnian system, the Cassini mission is scheduled for launch from  Cape Canaveral Air Station in October 1997. The propellant tank will assist with  guidance of the orbiter and power during the spacecraft’s voyage and in-orbit periods. It  will take seven years for the spacecraft to reach Saturn. Scientific instruments carried  aboard the spacecraft will study Saturn’s atmosphere, magnetic field, rings, and several  moons. JPL is managing the Cassini project for NASA KSC-97PC1016

Technicians from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) lower the upper ...

Technicians from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) lower the upper equipment module over a propellant tank in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July prior to installation on the Cassini orb... More

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) technicians reposition and  level the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July after  stacking the craft’s upper equipment module on the propulsion module. A four-year,  close-up study of the Saturnian system, the Cassini mission is scheduled for launch from  Cape Canaveral Air Station in October 1997. It will take seven years for the spacecraft to  reach Saturn. Scientific instruments carried aboard the spacecraft will study Saturn’s  atmosphere, magnetic field, rings, and several moons. JPL is managing the Cassini  project for NASA KSC-97PC1020

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) technicians reposition and level the ...

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) technicians reposition and level the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July after stacking the craft’s upper equipment module on the propuls... More

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) technicians reposition and  level the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July after  stacking the craft’s upper equipment module on the propulsion module. A four-year,  close-up study of the Saturnian system, the Cassini mission is scheduled for launch from  Cape Canaveral Air Station in October 1997. It will take seven years for the spacecraft to  reach Saturn. Scientific instruments carried aboard the spacecraft will study Saturn’s  atmosphere, magnetic field, rings, and several moons. JPL is managing the Cassini  project for NASA KSC-97PC1019

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) technicians reposition and level the ...

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) technicians reposition and level the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July after stacking the craft’s upper equipment module on the propuls... More

Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff prepare to remove the lift  fixture used to install the back cover on the Huygens probe, the conical structure in the  white workstand, in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC. Instruments  mounted on the probe, which was developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), will  receive atmospheric and surface data on Saturn’s main moon, Titan, to send back to Earth  as part of the Cassini mission. The back cover, yet to be attached to the Cassini orbiter,  will protect the probe during descent onto Titan. A four-year, close-up study of the  Saturnian system, Cassini is scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Station in  October 1997. It will take seven years for the spacecraft to reach Saturn. Aerospatiale is  the prime contractor for ESA KSC-97PC1021

Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff prepare to remove the lift fixture used ...

Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff prepare to remove the lift fixture used to install the back cover on the Huygens probe, the conical structure in the white workstand, in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility a... More

Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff install the back cover on the  Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July. Instruments  mounted on the probe, which was developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), will  receive atmospheric and surface data on Saturn’s main moon, Titan, to send back to Earth  as part of the Cassini mission. The back cover, yet to be attached to the Cassini orbiter,  will protect the probe during descent onto Titan. A four-year, close-up study of the  Saturnian system, the mission is scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Station in  October 1997. It will take seven years for the spacecraft to reach Saturn. Aerospatiale is  the prime contractor for ESA KSC-97PC1022

Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff install the back cover on the Huygens pr...

Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff install the back cover on the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July. Instruments mounted on the probe, which was developed by the European Space... More

A Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff member inspects the heat  shield of the Huygens probe after the shield was installed in the Payload Hazardous  Servicing Facility at KSC in July. Instruments mounted on the probe, which is owned by  the European Space Agency, will receive atmospheric and surface data on Saturn’s main  moon, Titan, to send back to Earth as part of the Cassini mission. The back cover, yet to  be attached to the Cassini orbiter, will protect the probe during descent onto Titan. A  four-year, close-up study of the Saturnian system, the mission is scheduled for launch  from Cape Canaveral Air Station in October 1997. It will take seven years for the  spacecraft to reach Saturn. Aerospatiale is the prime contractor for ESA KSC-97PC1025

A Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff member inspects the heat shield of the...

A Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff member inspects the heat shield of the Huygens probe after the shield was installed in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July. Instruments mounted on the probe,... More

Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff install the back cover on the  Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July. Instruments  mounted on the probe, which was developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), will  receive atmospheric and surface data on Saturn’s main moon, Titan, to send back to Earth  as part of the Cassini mission. The back cover, yet to be attached to the Cassini orbiter,  will protect the probe during descent onto Titan. A four-year, close-up study of the  Saturnian system, the mission is scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral Air Station in  October 1997. It will take seven years for the spacecraft to reach Saturn. Aerospatiale is  the prime contractor for ESA KSC-97PC1023

Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff install the back cover on the Huygens pr...

Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff install the back cover on the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July. Instruments mounted on the probe, which was developed by the European Space... More

A Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff member installs thermal  blanket insulation on the back cover of the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous  Servicing Facility at KSC in July. Instruments mounted on the probe, which is owned by  the European Space Agency (ESA), will receive atmospheric and surface data on Saturn’s  main moon, Titan, to send back to Earth as part of the Cassini mission. The back cover,  yet to be attached to the Cassini orbiter, will protect the probe during descent onto Titan.   A four-year, close-up study of the Saturnian system, the mission is scheduled for launch  from Cape Canaveral Air Station in October 1997. It will take seven years for the  spacecraft to reach Saturn. Aerospatiale is the prime contractor for ESA KSC-97PC1024

A Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff member installs thermal blanket insula...

A Daimler-Benz Aerospace staff member installs thermal blanket insulation on the back cover of the Huygens probe in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at KSC in July. Instruments mounted on the probe, w... More

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) KSC-97PC1097

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload...

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF)

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) KSC-97PC1098

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload...

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF)

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) KSC-97PC1095

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload...

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF)

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) KSC-97PC1096

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload...

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF)

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF) KSC-97PC1099

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload...

The Huygens probe is installed into the Cassini orbiter in the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility (PHSF)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, Oct. 15, from Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station. After a 2.2-billion mile journey that will include two swingbys of Venus and one of Earth to gain additional velocity, the two-story tall spacecraft will arrive at Saturn in July 2004. The orbiter will circle the planet for four years, its complement of 12 scientific instruments gathering data about Saturn's atmosphere, rings and magnetosphere and conducting closeup observations of the Saturnian moons. Huygens, with a separate suite of six science instruments, will separate from Cassini to fly on a ballistic trajectory toward Titan, the only celestial body besides Earth to have an atmosphere rich in nitrogen. Scientists are eager to study further this chemical similarity in hopes of learning more about the origins of our own planet Earth. Huygens will provide the first direct sampling of Titan's atmospheric chemistry and the first detailed photographs of its surface. The Cassini mission is an international effort involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI). The Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the U.S. contribution to the mission for NASA's Office of Space Science. The major U.S. contractor is Lockheed Martin, which provided the launch vehicle and upper stage, spacecraft propulsion module and radioisotope thermoelectric generators that will provide power for the spacecraft. The Titan IV/Centaur is a U.S. Air Force launch vehicle, and launch operations were managed by the 45th Space Wing KSC-97PC1546

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A seven-year journey to the ringed plane...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43... More

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, Oct. 15, from Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station. After a 2.2-billion mile journey that will include two swingbys of Venus and one of Earth to gain additional velocity, the two-story tall spacecraft will arrive at Saturn in July 2004. The orbiter will circle the planet for four years, its complement of 12 scientific instruments gathering data about Saturn's atmosphere, rings and magnetosphere and conducting closeup observations of the Saturnian moons. Huygens, with a separate suite of six science instruments, will separate from Cassini to fly on a ballistic trajectory toward Titan, the only celestial body besides Earth to have an atmosphere rich in nitrogen. Scientists are eager to study further this chemical similarity in hopes of learning more about the origins of our own planet Earth. Huygens will provide the first direct sampling of Titan's atmospheric chemistry and the first detailed photographs of its surface. The Cassini mission is an international effort involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI). The Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the U.S. contribution to the mission for NASA's Office of Space Science. The major U.S. contractor is Lockheed Martin, which provided the launch vehicle and upper stage, spacecraft propulsion module and radioisotope thermoelectric generators that will provide power for the spacecraft. The Titan IV/Centaur is a U.S. Air Force launch vehicle, and launch operations were managed by the 45th Space Wing KSC-97PC1545

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the lifto...

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, Oct. 15, from Launc... More

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. This spectacular streak shot was taken from Hangar AF on Cape Canaveral Air Station, with a solid rocket booster retrieval ship in the foreground. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, Oct. 15, from Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station. After a 2.2-billion mile journey that will include two swingbys of Venus and one of Earth to gain additional velocity, the two-story tall spacecraft will arrive at Saturn in July 2004. The orbiter will circle the planet for four years, its complement of 12 scientific instruments gathering data about Saturn's atmosphere, rings and magnetosphere and conducting closeup observations of the Saturnian moons. Huygens, with a separate suite of six science instruments, will separate from Cassini to fly on a ballistic trajectory toward Titan, the only celestial body besides Earth to have an atmosphere rich in nitrogen. Scientists are eager to study further this chemical similarity in hopes of learning more about the origins of our own planet Earth. Huygens will provide the first direct sampling of Titan's atmospheric chemistry and the first detailed photographs of its surface. The Cassini mission is an international effort involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI). The Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the U.S. contribution to the mission for NASA's Office of Space Science. The major U.S. contractor is Lockheed Martin, which provided the launch vehicle and upper stage, spacecraft propulsion module and radioisotope thermoelectric generators that will provide power for the spacecraft. The Titan IV/Centaur is a U.S. Air Force launch vehicle, and launch operations were managed by the 45th Space Wing KSC-97PC1543

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the lifto...

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. This spectacular streak shot was taken from Hangar AF... More

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, Oct. 15, from Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station. After a 2.2-billion mile journey that will include two swingbys of Venus and one of Earth to gain additional velocity, the two-story tall spacecraft will arrive at Saturn in July 2004. The orbiter will circle the planet for four years, its complement of 12 scientific instruments gathering data about Saturn's atmosphere, rings and magnetosphere and conducting closeup observations of the Saturnian moons. Huygens, with a separate suite of six science instruments, will separate from Cassini to fly on a ballistic trajectory toward Titan, the only celestial body besides Earth to have an atmosphere rich in nitrogen. Scientists are eager to study further this chemical similarity in hopes of learning more about the origins of our own planet Earth. Huygens will provide the first direct sampling of Titan's atmospheric chemistry and the first detailed photographs of its surface. The Cassini mission is an international effort involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI). The Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the U.S. contribution to the mission for NASA's Office of Space Science. The major U.S. contractor is Lockheed Martin, which provided the launch vehicle and upper stage, spacecraft propulsion module and radioisotope thermoelectric generators that will provide power for the spacecraft. The Titan IV/Centaur is a U.S. Air Force launch vehicle, and launch operations were managed by the 45th Space Wing KSC-97PC1544

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the lifto...

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, Oct. 15, from Launc... More

NASA Space Science. NASA public domain image colelction.

NASA Space Science. NASA public domain image colelction.

The 7-year journey to Saturn began with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/ Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. After a 2.2-billion mile journey that included two swingbys of Venus and ... More

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, Oct. 15, from Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station. After a 2.2-billion mile journey that will include two swingbys of Venus and one of Earth to gain additional velocity, the two-story tall spacecraft will arrive at Saturn in July 2004. The orbiter will circle the planet for four years, its complement of 12 scientific instruments gathering data about Saturn's atmosphere, rings and magnetosphere and conducting closeup observations of the Saturnian moons. Huygens, with a separate suite of six science instruments, will separate from Cassini to fly on a ballistic trajectory toward Titan, the only celestial body besides Earth to have an atmosphere rich in nitrogen. Scientists are eager to study further this chemical similarity in hopes of learning more about the origins of our own planet Earth. Huygens will provide the first direct sampling of Titan's atmospheric chemistry and the first detailed photographs of its surface. The Cassini mission is an international effort involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI). The Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the U.S. contribution to the mission for NASA's Office of Space Science. The major U.S. contractor is Lockheed Martin, which provided the launch vehicle and upper stage, spacecraft propulsion module and radioisotope thermoelectric generators that will provide power for the spacecraft. The Titan IV/Centaur is a U.S. Air Force launch vehicle, and launch operations were managed by the 45th Space Wing KSC-97PC1547

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the lifto...

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, Oct. 15, from Launc... More

NASA Space Science. NASA public domain image colelction.

NASA Space Science. NASA public domain image colelction.

The 7-year journey to Saturn began with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. After a 2.2-billion mile journey that included two swingbys of Venus and o... More

KSC-cassini - NASA satellite images

KSC-cassini - NASA satellite images

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. Launch occurred at 4:43 a.m. EDT, Oct. 15, from Launc... More

Cassini Orbiter and Huygens Probe aboard the Titan IV

Cassini Orbiter and Huygens Probe aboard the Titan IV

This image from 1997 is of the Titan IVB/Centaur carrying NASA Cassini spacecraft at Launch Complex 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Station, the Mobile Service Tower has been retracted away. NASA/JPL/KSC

Launch of Cassini Orbiter and Huygens Probe on Titan IV

Launch of Cassini Orbiter and Huygens Probe on Titan IV

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn began on Oct. 15, 1997 with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying NASA Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. NASA/JPL/KSC

Launch of Cassini Orbiter and Huygens Probe on Titan IV

Launch of Cassini Orbiter and Huygens Probe on Titan IV

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn began on Oct. 15, 1997 with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying NASA Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe NASA/JPL/KSC

Launch of Cassini Orbiter and Huygens Probe on Titan IV

Launch of Cassini Orbiter and Huygens Probe on Titan IV

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying the Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. NASA/JPL/KSC

Launch of Cassini Orbiter and Huygens Probe on Titan IV

Launch of Cassini Orbiter and Huygens Probe on Titan IV

A seven-year journey to the ringed planet Saturn begins with the liftoff of a Titan IVB/Centaur carrying NASA Cassini orbiter and its attached Huygens probe. NASA/JPL/KSC