Cassini's fate debated

[j d worthington]

While I've not seen much on the Cassini craft's mission here, it has provided an enormous amount of information of value to anyone interested in space or the harder branches of sf... and now they're debating how to "decommission" Cassini:

Scientists debate Cassini's fate - CNN.com

And I also thought I might add some other articles of interest on some of what this one has done....

NASA Cassini Image: The Hand of Prometheus | SpaceRef - Space News as it Happens

RedOrbit - Space - Cassini Spots the Pale Blue Dot from Saturn's Orbit

Cassini flyby of Hyperion reveals tortured world - 28 September 2005 - New Scientist Space

NASA Cassini Significant Events for 10/26/06 - 11/01/06 | SpaceRef - Space News as it Happens

Images help solve mystery of Titan's missing craters - solar-system - 07 June 2006 - New Scientist Space

These are just a few... there are many more, often with striking images...

 

[Jim Colyer]

So far, I have been disappointed with Cassini. Maybe I expect too much.

Astronomy
Jim Colyer :: News

 

[Curt Chiarelli]

The data that we've received from Cassini is nothing short of breathtaking. It would appear that when you're floating around our solar system every moment becomes a Kodak Moment!

On a more sober note though, it's a thorny issue concerning its "de-commission". I'll cast my lot with a trip to Jupiter. The most idiotic option would be to attempt a crash landing on one of Saturn's moons (nothing quite like scattering radioactive material over a pristine extraterrestrial world as a calling card from Earth).

Thanks for posting these links J.D.

 

[j d worthington]

I have to agree. I find these things quite awe-inspiring, and would like to see us get as much more from Cassini as possible, before sending it to oblivion.

And you're quite welcome, Curt.