After a seven-year journey of nearly 3.5 billion kilometres, the spacecraft arrived in the Saturn system on 30 June 2004.
Cassini completed its four-year primary mission in 2008 and went on to perform dozens more flybys of Titan, Enceladus and Saturn’s other icy moons.
It is currently wrapping up its time in the region . Images from the flyby will provide the first opportunity for a close-up look at the north polar region of Enceladus.
For some of our past coverage in Cosmos magazine of the groundbreaking mission, see:
Could Saturn’s moon hold life?
Could there be life in Titan’s methane sea?
Or you can catch up on our news coverage of the mission.
Originally published by Cosmos as Cassini’s Saturn mission – how it all began
Bill Condie
Bill Condie is a science journalist based in Adelaide, Australia.
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.
