Ep 14. Goodbye Cassini - Hello Saturn

Goodbye Cassini - Hello Saturn is an episode of the popular documentary series Horizon, which follows the incredible journey of NASA's Cassini spacecraft as it explores Saturn and its moons. After a remarkable 13-year mission, Cassini is set to end its mission by plunging into Saturn's atmosphere and burning up on September 15, 2017. This episode takes a look at the ups and downs of Cassini's mission, from its launch in 1997 to its final moments.

The documentary features interviews with scientists and engineers who worked on the Cassini mission, as well as stunning images and footage captured by the spacecraft. Viewers will see Cassini's journey from its arrival at Saturn in 2004, where it discovered lakes and seas on the moon Titan and an ocean beneath the icy crust of Enceladus, to its final months, which included a series of daring dives between Saturn and its rings.

The episode also explores the legacy of the Cassini mission and the important insights it provided into the Saturn system. For example, Cassini's discoveries of organic molecules on Enceladus and the presence of hydrogen gas on Saturn's moon, Titan, lead scientists to believe that these moons may have the conditions for life. Cassini also provided insights into the processes that shape Saturn's weather and magnetic field, which can help scientists understand our own planet's weather and climate.

Moreover, the documentary focuses on the engineering challenges that were overcome during the Cassini mission. For example, the spacecraft had to endure extreme temperatures, high radiation levels, and the constant pull of Saturn's gravity. In addition, the Cassini team developed innovative technologies, such as a revolutionary method of getting data from the spacecraft to Earth, which enabled them to collect an enormous amount of information about Saturn and its moons.

Finally, the documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at Cassini's final moments. With the spacecraft running low on fuel, the NASA team had to decide whether to crash the spacecraft into Saturn or risk contaminating any potential life on Enceladus or Titan. The team ultimately decided to end Cassini's journey by diving into Saturn's atmosphere, where it would burn up and leave no trace of contamination. With emotional interviews from the Cassini team, viewers will see what it was like to say goodbye to the remarkable spacecraft that taught us so much about the Saturn system.

Overall, Goodbye Cassini - Hello Saturn is a fascinating episode of Horizon that explores the incredible accomplishments and challenges of the Cassini mission. Through captivating interviews and stunning visuals, viewers will gain a new appreciation for the astonishing achievements of this truly groundbreaking spacecraft.