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90% confidenceInternational MES research in space-technology with focus on space-applications, renewable-integration. Last week, after 13 years of exploration, NASA9s Cassini spacecraft plunged into the upper reaches of Saturn9s atmospher...
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Abstract
Last week, after 13 years of exploration, NASA9s Cassini spacecraft plunged into the upper reaches of Saturn9s atmosphere at 123,000 kilometers per hour and melted away. The spacecraft9s demise, necessitated by dwindling fuel and a need to protect two of Saturn9s 62 moons from potential microbial contamination from Earth, brought forth a global outpouring of sentiment. Although pathos ruled for a day, Cassini9s scientists are eager to get back to work. The spacecraft has already revolutionized understanding of gas giants and, with its discoveries of hydrogen-rich water plumes on Enceladus and methane lakes on Titan, the potential for life to exist beyond the classic "habitable zone." But its final 22 orbits could reveal insights into Saturn9s rings and murky interior.
Keywords
Identifiers
- Journal
- Science
- Year
- 2017