This image shows NASA's Cassini spacecraft flying above Saturn's northern hemisphere on April 26, 2017. Image source: NASA / JPL-Caltech
NASA's Cassini spacecraft made its maiden voyage through the narrow gap of Saturn and its natural satellite on April 26, 2017. No spacecraft ever discovered at this distance, Cassini spacecraft will use antennas longer than 4 meters as a protection shield when moving through the belt.
The Cassini team will use the data collected by one of the spacecraft's scientific tools ( Radio and Plasma Wave Subsystem, or RPWS ) to determine the size and density of molecules on Saturn's belt. before making the journey. In the direction of the antenna, Cassini spacecraft will not contact Earth while traveling.
Video: Cassini spacecraft successfully performs the journey around Saturn Picture 2
Below is a list of milestones that are expected to occur in the event, if all follow the plan:
5 pm PDT (8:00 EDT) on April 25, ie 7 am on April 26, Vietnam time: Cassini spacecraft approached Saturn on the northern hemisphere before the first of 22 detections Danger is planned through the distance between the planet and Saturn's belt.
1:34 PM PDT (4:34 AM EDT) on April 26, ie 5:30 pm on April 25, Vietnam time: When moving from north to south Saturn, Cassini spacecraft begins revolving 14 minutes to increase the antenna point towards the molecules on the belt.In this plan, the antenna acts as a protective shield for the Cassini spacecraft's technical tools and systems.
2 am PDT (5 pm EDT) on April 26, ie 4 pm April 25, Vietnam time: Cassini spacecraft crosses the plane of Saturn's belt while exploring between the rings and Saturn.The scientific instruments of the spacecraft are gathering data, but the Cassini spacecraft did not contact Earth at the time.
Around noon on PDT on April 26 (3 EDT hours on April 27), ie 3 am Vietnam time: Earth will have the first chance to get back in touch with Cassini spacecraft like an antenna. Giant deep space ten meters, 70 meters long in Goldstone, California, listening to the spacecraft's radio signal.
Around 12:30 am PDT (3:30 am EDT) on April 27, ie 2:30 am on April 26 morning in Vietnam time: Images are scheduled to be available from the spacecraft.