Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

The Cassini-Huygens Visit to Saturn pp 181–212Cite as

The interplanetary journey

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 1712 Accesses

Part of the book series: Springer Praxis Books ((SPACEE))

Abstract

This chapter examines a very powerful tool used to propel the spacecraft to Saturn: the gravity assist. It is a precisely designed maneuver in which a spacecraft closely approaches a planet and draws momentum from it. Pulled along by the planet’s gravity, the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft’s speed was dramatically increased.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. NASA-JPL, “Cassini Mission Overview,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/products/pdfs/cassini_msn_overview.pdf, Cassini Equinox Mission Web site, accessed 31 May 2010.

  2. NASA-JPL, “The Launch: Lighting the Big Candle,” http://cassini-huygens.jpl.nasa.gov/cassini/Mission/launch.shtml, Mission to Saturn, Cassin Equinox Mission Web site, accessed 2 Mar. 2009.

  3. ESA, “Successful Launch of Cassini-Huygens Mission,” http://www.esa.int/esaCP/Pr_32_1997_p_EN.html, press release No. 32-1997, 15 October 1997; NASA-JPL, “The Launch.”

  4. NASA-JPL, “The Launch.”

    Google Scholar 

  5. Manuel Grande, “Cruise: Challenges of the Early Mission,” http://www.sstd.rl.ac.uk/news/cassini/mission/cruise.html, U.K. Cassini-Huygens Home Page, Space Science and Technology Department at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, last updated 1 July 2004.

  6. Laurence Prusak (ed.), “ASK Talks with Tom Gavin,” appel.nasa.gov/ask/pdf/pdf17/61924main_17_interview_gavin.pdf, ASK Magazine 17 (April 2004):35–39.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Prusak.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Sources: NASA-JPL, “Quick Facts,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/quickfacts/, accessed 13 Apr. 2010; NASA-JPL, “Huygens Probe Engineering Subsystems,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/spacecraft/huygensprobeengineeringsubsystems/, accessed 13 Apr. 2010; NASA-JPL, “Cassini Mission Overview,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/multimedia/products/pdfs/cassini_msn_overview.pdf, accessed 14 Apr. 2010.

  9. Troy D. Goodson, Donald L. Gray, Yungsun Hahn, and Fernando Peralta, “Cassini Maneuver Experience: Finishing Inner Cruise,” available at http://hdl.handle.net/2014/13680 or www.ltas-vis.ulg.ac.be/cmsms/uploads/File/CassiniManeuverExperience_FinishingInnerCruise.pdf, Spaceflight Mechanics Meeting, Clearwater, Florida, 23 Jan. 2000, JPL Beacon eSpace archive, collection JPL TRS 1992+, file 00-0046.pdf.

  10. Bob Mitchell review of manuscript, Feb. 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Manuel Grande, “Navigation Magic,” http://www.sstd.rl.ac.uk/news/Cassini/mission/nav.html, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, last updated 1 July 2004, from U.K. Cassini-Huygens Home Page.

  12. ESA, “Huygens to Test Volta’s 200-year Old Invention at Titan,” http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=13950 (27 Mar. 2000).

  13. NASA-JPL, “Cassini Status Update (Launch +1),” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1997, 16 Oct. 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bob Mitchell review of manuscript, Feb. 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  15. NASA-JPL, “Successful Trajectory Control Maneuver Marks Milestone for Cassin,” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1997, 10 Nov. 1997; D. Clough, “Cassini Project: Trajectory Correction Maneuver 1,” Final Report (amended), 13 Jan. 1998, JPL Archives, WH cabinet 13.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Troy D. Goodson, Donald L. Gray, Yungsun Hahn, and Fernando Peralta, “Cassini Maneuver Experience: Launch and Early Cruise,” Proc. of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1998 Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Boston MA, 10 Aug. 1998, JPL Beacon eSpace collection JPL TRS 1992+, file 98-0900.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  17. NASA-JPL, “Cassini Status Update (Launch +5),” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1997, 20 Oct. 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  18. NASA-JPL, “Cassini Status Update (Launch +13),” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1997, 28 Oct. 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  19. NASA-JPL, “Cassini Status Update (Launch +8),” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1997, 23 Oct. 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  20. NASA-JPL, “Cassini Continues Successful Deployment of Instruments,” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1997, 3 Dec. 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  21. NASA-JPL, “Early Mission Phase Nears Completion,” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1998, 8 Jan. 1997.

    Google Scholar 

  22. NASA-JPL, “Navigators Prepare for Scheduled Trajectory Refinements,” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1998, 3 Feb. 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Troy D. Goodson, Donald L. Gray, Yungsun Hahn, and Fernando Peralta, “Cassini Maneuver Experience: Launch and Early Cruise,” Proc. of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1998 Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, Boston MA, 10 Aug. 1998, JPL Beacon eSpace collection JPL TRS 1992+, file 98-0900.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Bob Mitchell review of manuscript, Feb. 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  25. JPL, “Fault Protection Detects Minor Orientation Discrepancy,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/newsreleases/newsrelease19980326/, JPL Media Relations Office, 26 March 1998, accessed 12 March 2009; Aviation Week & Space Technology, “News Breaks” (30 March 1998):18, NASA NHRC 17902 Cassini (since launch).

  26. JPL, “Fault Protection Detects Minor Orientation Discrepancy,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/newsreleases/newsrelease19980326/, 26 March 1998, accessed 12 March 2009.

  27. R.D. Lorenz et al., “Cassini Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR): Earth and Venus Observations,” J. of Geophys. Research 106(A12) (1 Dec. 2001):30271–30279.

    Google Scholar 

  28. NASA-JPL, “On Target for First Venus Flyby,” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1998, 3 Apr. 1998; NASA-JPL, “Cassini Completes First Venus Flyby,” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1998, 26 Apr. 1998; Bob Mitchell review of manuscript, Feb. 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Steven Flanagan and Fernando Peralta, “Cassini 1997 VVEJGA Trajectory Launch/Arrival Space Analysis,” http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/bitstream/2014/35646/1/93-1367.pdf, JPL (1993).

  30. NASA-JPL, “Venus Flyby Update,” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1998, 29 Apr. 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Ken Stowers, “Trajectory Correction Maneuver 5,” final report, D-48431, 5 Feb. 1999, JPL Cassini-Huygens CASTL archive; NASA-JPL, “Trajectory Adjustment Prepares Cassini for Second Venus Flyby,” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1998, 3 December 1998; Bob Mitchell email to author, 17 Jan. 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  32. NASA-JPL, “Cassini Executes Instrument Checkout,” JPL Media Relations Office, news releases—1999, 15 Jan. 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  33. ESA, “The Flybys Around Venus and the Earth Provided a Calibration Opportunity for the Instruments Aboard Huygens and Cassini,” http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=18630, ESA Science & Technology Web site, 4 May 2000.

  34. Michael Meltzer, Mission to Jupiter: A History of the Galileo Project (Washington D.C.: NASA SP-2007-4231, 2007), p. 246.

    Google Scholar 

  35. NASA-JPL, “Cassini Executes Instrument Checkout.”

    Google Scholar 

  36. A. Mark memo to E. Maize, “AACS TCM 6 Final Report,” IOM SCO-99-010, 11 March 1999, JPL Cassini-Huygens archive, WH cabinet 13.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Mark Guman and Fernando Peralta memo to Jerry Jones, “Cassini Navigation Reconstruction of TCM-7,” IOM 312.A/013-99, 20 Sept. 1999, JPL Cassini-Huygens archive, WH cabinet 13.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Troy D. Goodson, Donald L. Gray, Yungsun Hahn, and Fernando Peralta, “Cassini Maneuver Experience: Finishing Inner Cruise,” available at http://hdl.handle.net/2014/13680 or www.ltas-vis.ulg.ac.be/cmsms/uploads/File/CassiniManeuverExperience_FinishingInnerCruise.pdf, Spaceflight Mechanics Meeting, Clearwater, Florida, 23 Jan. 2000, JPL Beacon eSpace archive, collection JPL TRS 1992+, file 00-0046.pdf.

  39. Troy Goodson, “TCM-8 Strategy Meeting: Venus-2 Minus 30 Days Orbit Determination,” in “TCM8 Strategy Meeting Package,” 26 May 1999, JPL Cassini-Huygens archive, WH cabinet 13; Guman and Peralta.

    Google Scholar 

  40. JPL, “Significant Event Report for Week Ending 6/30/1999,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/significantevents/sigevent19990630/, JPL Media Relations Office, 30 June 1999, accessed 12 March 2009; Goodson et al., “Cassini Maneuver Experience: Finishing Inner Cruise.”

  41. Science@NASA, “Venus Lends a Helping Hand,” http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/ast24jun99_1.htm, 25 June 1999, accessed 11 March 2009.

  42. John Aiello, “Mission Planning Summary Package for Venus 2-Earth Subphase,” JPL CAS/ULO-311-99-477 (23 Dec. 1998); Bob Mitchell review of manuscript, Feb. 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  43. M.E. Burton, B. Buratti, D.L. Matson, and J.P. Lebreton, “The Cassini/Huygens Venus and Earth Flybys: An Overview of Operations and Results,” J. of Geophys. Research 106(A12) (1 Dec. 2001):30099-30107.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Martha Heil and Gary Galluzo, “Cassini Scientists See No Sign of Lightning on Venus,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/newsreleases/newsrelease20010119/, JPL Media Relations Office, 19 Jan. 2001, access 12 March 2009.

  45. Heil and Galluzo, “Cassini Scientists See No Sign of Lightning on Venus.”

    Google Scholar 

  46. D.A. Gurnett et al., “Non-Detection at Venus of High Frequency Radio Signals Characteristic of Terrestrial Lightning,” Nature 409 (18 Jan. 2001):313–315.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Michael Meltzer, Mission to Jupiter: A History of the Galileo Project (Washington D.C.: NASA SP-2007-4231, 2007), pp. 154–155.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Burton et al., “The Cassini/Huygens Venus and Earth Flybys.”

    Google Scholar 

  49. S.M. Krimigis et al., “Preliminary Results from MIMI Observations During Cassini’s Venus-2 Flyby on June 24, 1999,” Bull. Am. Astron. Soc. 31(4) (1999).

    Google Scholar 

  50. Burton et al., “The Cassini/Huygens Venus and Earth Flybys.”

    Google Scholar 

  51. Kevin H. Baines et al., “Detection of Sub-Micron Radiation from the Surface of Venus by Cassini/VIMS,” Icarus 148 (2000):307–311; D.A. Allen and J.W. Crawford, “Cloud Structure on the Dark Side of Venus,” Nature 307 (1984), as reported in Baines et al.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Baines et al., “Detection of Sub-Micron Radiation.”

    Google Scholar 

  53. A.I.F. Stewart et al., “Venus’s Airglow as Observed by the Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer,” Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society 32 (Oct. 2000):1120.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Burton et al., “The Cassini/Huygens Venus and Earth Flybys.”

    Google Scholar 

  55. ESA, “The Flybys Around Venus and the Earth Provided a Calibration Opportunity for the Instruments Aboard Huygens and Cassini,” http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=18630, ESA Science & Technology Web site, 4 May 2000.

  56. Burton et al., “The Cassini/Huygens Venus and Earth Flybys.”

    Google Scholar 

  57. A. Mark memo to E. Maize, “AACS TCM 9 Final Report – Rev C,” JPL IOM SCO-99-051, 5 Aug. 1999, JPL Cassini archives, WH cabinet 13; E.H. Maize memo to J.M. Millard/A. Avila, “SCO PTT TCM-10 Final Report,” JPL IOM SCO-99-050, 30 July 1999, JPL Cassini archives, WH cabinet 13; E.H. Maize memo to J.M. Millard/A. Avila, “SCO PTT TCM-11 Final Report,” JPL IOM SCO-99-053, 12 Aug. 1999, JPL Cassini archives, WH cabinet 13; E.H. Maize memo to J.M. Millard/A. Avila, “SCO PTT TCM-12 Final Report,” JPL IOM SCO-99-060, 13 Sept. 1999, JPL Cassini archives, WH cabinet 13; JPL “On Target for Earth Flyby,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/newsreleases/newsrelease19990811/, 11 Aug. 1999, accessed 13 Mar. 2009.

  58. Burton et al., “The Cassini/Huygens Venus and Earth Flybys.”

    Google Scholar 

  59. JPL, “Cassini’s Moon Shots,” Universe 29(17) (3 Sep. 1999), NASA NHRC 17902 Cassini (since launch).

    Google Scholar 

  60. W.S. Kurth et al., “An Overview of Observations by the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Investigation at Earth,” J. of Geophys. Res. 106(A12) (1 Dec. 2001):30239–30252.

    Google Scholar 

  61. A. Lagg et al., “Energetic Particle Measurements During the Earth Swing-By of the Cassini Spacecraft in August 1999,” J. of Geophys. Res. 106(A12) (1 Dec. 2001):30209–30222; Southwest Research Institute, “Substorm,” http://pluto.space.swri.edu/image/glossary/substorm.html, IMAGE Web site, accessed 19 Mar. 2009.

  62. A.M. Rymer et al., “Cassini Plasma Spectrometer Electron Spectrometer Measurements During the Earth Swing-By on August 18, 1999,” J. of Geophys. Res. 106(A12) (1 Dec. 2001):30177–30198.

    Google Scholar 

  63. R.D. Lorenz et al., “Cassini Radio Detection and Ranging (RADAR): Earth and Venus Observations,” J. of Geophys. Research 106(A12) (1 Dec. 2001):30271–30279.

    Google Scholar 

  64. G.A. Abel et al., “Cassini Plasma Spectrometer Observations of Bidirectional Lobe Electrons During the Earth Flyby, August 18, 1999,” J. of Geophys. Research 106(A12) (1 Dec. 2001):30199–30208; David P. Stern and Mauricio Peredo, “The Magnetopause,” http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/wmpause.html, no. 19 on the Exploration of the Earth’s Magnetosphere Web site, NASA-GSFC, last updated 5 June 2008, accessed 20 Mar. 1999.

  65. NASA, “Cassini Gets a Boost from Earth Flyby,” NASA Headquarters Bulletin (23 Aug. 1999):3.

    Google Scholar 

  66. ESA, “Cassini-Huygens Swings BY Earth and Accelerates Toward Saturn,” press release no. 34–99, 18 Aug. 1999, NASA NHRC 17902 Cassini (since launch).

    Google Scholar 

  67. NASA-JPL, “Significant Event Report for Week Ending 9/3/1999,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/significantevents/sigevent19990903/, accessed 3 April 2009.

  68. Bob Mitchell review of manuscript, Feb. 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  69. K.C. Clausen et al., “The Huygens Probe System Design,” Space Science Reviews 104 (2002):157–158.

    Google Scholar 

  70. R. Tagle et al., “On the Nature of S-type Asteroids and the Terrestrial Impactor Population,” 38th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, League City, Texas, LPI contribution no. 1338 (Mar. 2007):2216.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Lori Stiles, “Cassini Cameras Photograph Asteroid 2685 Masursky,” http://uanews.org/node/2841, UA News, Univ. of Arizona, 11 Feb. 2000, accessed 24 Mar. 2009.

  72. Planetary Society, “Space Topics: Asteroids and Comets,” http://www.planetary.org/explore/topics/asteroids_and_comets/facts.html, accessed 24 Mar. 2009.

  73. NASA-JPL, “Significant Event Report for Week Ending 2/4/2000,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/significantevents/sigevent20000204/, accessed 3 April 2009.

  74. Keith Cowing, “Cassini Completes Trip Through Asteroid Belt. Jupiter is Next, Then Saturn and Titan,” SpaceRef.com, 16 Apr. 2000, NASA NHRC 17902 Cassini (since launch).

    Google Scholar 

  75. Robert T. (Bob) Mitchell, “The Cassini/Huygens Mission to Saturn and Titan,” http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/bitstream/2014/16028/1/00-1883.pdf, International Astronomical Union Congress, IAF-00-Q.2.02 (2000).

  76. Gretchen O’Brien and Tom Wiseman, “Cassini on to Saturn After Crossing Asteroid Belt,” Space News (8 May 2000), NASA NHRC 17902 Cassini (since launch); NASA-JPL, “Significant Event Report for Week Ending 4/21/2000,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/significantevents/sigevent20000421/, accessed 3 April 2009.

  77. NASA-JPL, “Significant Event Report for Week Ending 6/16/2000,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/significantevents/sigevent20000616/, accessed 3 April 2009.

  78. Robert T. (Bob) Mitchell, “The Cassini/Huygens Mission to Saturn and Titan,” http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/bitstream/2014/16028/1/00-1883.pdf, International Astronomical Union Congress, IAF-00-Q.2.02 (2000).

  79. Todd Barber and Richard Cowley, “Initial Cassini Propulsion System In-Flight Characterization,” AIAA-2002-4152, 38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Indianapolis, Indiana, 7–10 July 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  80. JPL, Cassini Mission Plan, Revision N (PD 699-100), JPL D-5564, 2002, as reported in NASA-JPL,“MissionInformation,” http://starbrite.jpl.nasa.gov/pds/viewMissionProfile.jsp?MISSION_NAME=CASSINI-HUYGENS, accessed 4 Apr. 2009; NASA-JPL, “Jupiter Millennium Flyby,” http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/jupiterflyby/, accessed 22 Mar. 2009.

  81. Larry Esposito, “Cassini Imaging at Jupiter,” Science 299 (7 March 2003):1529–1530; Carolyn C. Porco et al., “Cassini Imaging of Jupiter’s Atmosphere, Satellites, and Rings,” Science 299 (7 March 2003): 1541 – 1547.

    Google Scholar 

  82. NASA-JPL, “Galileo and Cassini Image: Two Giant Plumes on Io,” http://www.nasaimages.org/luna/servlet/detail/NVA2~14~14~26099~124675:Galileo-and-Cassini-Image – Two-Gian, NASA Images Web site, accessed 23 Mar. 2009.

  83. Porco et al., “Cassini Imaging.”

    Google Scholar 

  84. Guy Webster and Maria Martinez, “Seventy-Day Jupiter Movie Pulls Patterns Out of Chaos,” JPL Media Relations Office, 16 July 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Webster and Martinez, “Seventy-Day Jupiter Movie.”

    Google Scholar 

  86. ScienceDaily, “Cassini Visualizes The Invisible, Tracks Giant Storms On Jupiter,” http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/01/010101103713.htm, (Jan. 1, 2001), accessed 27 Mar. 2009.

  87. B.F. Burke and K.L. Franklin, “Observations of a Variable Radio Source Associated with the Planet Jupiter,” J. Geophys. Res. 60 (1955):213–217; F.D. Drake and S. Hvatum, “Non-Thermal Microwave Radiation from Jupiter,” Astron. J. 64 (1959):329–330, as reported in D. A. Gurnett et al., “Control of Jupiter’s Radio Emission and Aurorae by the Solar Wind,” Nature 415 (28 February 2002):985–987.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Aurorae are the atmospheric bands of light generated by charged solar particles following a planet’s magnetic field lines.

    Google Scholar 

  89. Candice J. Hansen et al., “The Cassini-Huygens Flyby of Jupiter,” Icarus 172 (2004):1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  90. D. A. Gurnett et al., “Control of Jupiter’s Radio Emission and Aurorae by the Solar Wind,” Nature 415 (28 February 2002):985–987.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Thomas W. Hill, “Magnetic Moments at Jupiter,” Nature 415 (28 Feb. 2002):965–966.

    Google Scholar 

  92. H. Throop et al., “Cassini Imaging Observations of Jupiter’s Rings,” American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #35, #11.07 (2003); Carolyn C. Porco et al., “Cassini Imaging of Jupiter’s Atmosphere, Satellites, and Rings,” Science 299 (7 March 2003):1541–1547; H. B. Throop, C. C. Porco, “Cassini Observations of Jupiter’s Rings,” http://aas.org/archives/BAAS/v33n3/dps2001/552.htm , DPS 2001 meeting, Session 32 – Rings II (Nov. 2001).

  93. Candice J. Hansen et al., “The Cassini-Huygens Flyby of Jupiter,” Icarus 172 (2004):1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  94. NASA/JPL/University of Arizona, “Himalia, a Small Moon of Jupiter,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/photos/imagedetails/index.cfm?imageId=656, 23 January 2001.

  95. An astronomical unit, or AU, represents a length equal to the distance from the Sun to Earth, about 150 million kilometers or 93 million miles.

    Google Scholar 

  96. Stamatios M. Krimigis et al., “A Nebula of Gases from Io Surrounding Jupiter,” Nature 415 (28 February 2002):994–996.

    Google Scholar 

  97. NASA-JPL, “Significant Event Report for Week Ending 1/5/2001,” http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/significantevents/sigevent20010105/, accessed 4 April 2009.

  98. Robert T. Mitchell email to author, 8 Dec. 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  99. This number serves as a means of communicating how much energy gravity assists can give to a spacecraft. It must be noted, however, that if gravity assists had not been available and more fuel had been needed for the voyage, a bigger launch vehicle would likely have been employed so that the spacecraft could have gone direct from Earth to Saturn without all the loops around the Sun on the way, and this more direct route would not have required 75 tons of propellant. Robert T. (Bob) Mitchell email to author, 15 Nov. 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  100. Associated Press, “Cassini-Navigation,” 14 Aug. 1999, in a package beginning with Matthew Fordahl, “Plutonium Powered Spacecraft to Zoom By Earth on Way to Saturn,” NASA NHRC 17902 Cassini (since launch).

    Google Scholar 

  101. Warren E. Leary, “En Route to Saturn, A Boost from Earth: Cassini Craft’s Flyby is Exactly on Course,” NY Times (17 Aug. 1999):D1

    Google Scholar 

  102. JPL, Cassini Mission Plan, Revision N (PD 699-100), JPL D-5564, 2002, as reported in NASA-JPL, “Mission Information,” http://starbrite.jpl.nasa.gov/pds/viewMissionProfile.jsp?MISSION_NAME=CASSINI-HUYGENS, accessed 4 Apr. 2009.

  103. Bob Mitchell interview with author, JPL, 26 Oct. 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  104. S.F. Abbate et al., “The Cassini Gravitational Wave Experiment,” Astronomical Telescopes & Instrumentation (22 Aug. 2002), JPL Beacon eSpace archive, collection JPL TRS 1992+, file 02-1711; J.W. Armstrong, “Low-Frequency Gravitational Wave Searches Using Spacecraft Doppler Tracking,” Living Reviews in Relativity 9 (2006):1.

    Google Scholar 

  105. Dave Kornreich, “Have Gravitational Waves Been Proven to Exist?” http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=83, Ask an Astronomer Web site, Astronomy Department, Cornell University, last updated 2 May 2002, accessed 4 Apr. 2009.

  106. B. Bertotti1, L. Iess, and P. Tortora, “A Test of General Relativity Using Radio Links with the Cassini Spacecraft,” Nature 425 (25 September 2003):374–376; L. Iess et al., “The Cassini Solar Conjunction Experiment: a New Test of General Relativity,” IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings 1 (8–15 March 2003).

    Google Scholar 

  107. JPL, Cassini Mission Plan, Revision N (PD 699-100), JPL D-5564, 2002, as reported in NASA-JPL, “Mission Information,” http://starbrite.jpl.nasa.gov/pds/viewMissionProfile.jsp?MISSION_NAME=CASSINI-HUYGENS, accessed 4 Apr. 2009

  108. BBC News, “Cassini Pass Reveals Moon Secrets,” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3798485.stm, 14 June 2004.

  109. Troy Goodson et al., “Cassini-Huygens Maneuver Experience: Cruise and Arrival at Saturn,” AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference, Lake Tahoe, CA, Aug. 2005, Paper AAS 05-286.

    Google Scholar 

  110. BBC News, “Cassini Pass Reveals Moon Secrets.”

    Google Scholar 

  111. ScienceDaily “Phoebe’s Surface Reveals Clues To Its Origin,” (15 June 2004).

    Google Scholar 

  112. ScienceDaily “Phoebe’s Surface Reveals Clues To Its Origin,” (15 June 2004).

    Google Scholar 

  113. David Michael Harland, Cassini at Saturn: Huygens Results (Springer Praxis, Praxis; 1 edition (2007):33.

    Google Scholar 

  114. ScienceDaily, “Scientists Discover Pluto Kin Is A Member Of Saturn Family,” http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/05/050507095634.htm (7 May 2005).

  115. Paolo Ulivi with David Michael Harland, Robotic Exploration of the Solar System: Part 1 – The Golden Age, 1957–1982 (Springer Praxis, Praxis; 1 edition (2007):423.

    Google Scholar 

  116. Guy Gugliotta, “Scientists Marvel Over Planet Rings,” Washington Post (2 July 2004):A3, NASA NHRC 18426 Cassini/Huygens Saturn Arrival (June 30, 2004).

    Google Scholar 

  117. Leonard David, “Cassini Delivers ‘Shocking’ Images of Saturn’s Rings,” SpaceNews (5 July 2001):7, NASA NHRC 18426 Cassini/Huygens Saturn Arrival (June 30, 2004).

    Google Scholar 

  118. Mona M. Witkowski et al., “Managing Risk to Ensure a Successful Cassini/Huygens Saturn Orbit Insertion (SOI),” SpaceOps 2004 Conference, Montreal, Canada (17–21 May 2004).

    Google Scholar 

  119. JPL, Cassini Mission Plan, Revision N (PD 699-100), JPL D-5564, 2002, as reported in NASA-JPL, “Mission Information,” http://starbrite.jpl.nasa.gov/pds/viewMissionProfile.jsp?MISSION_NAME=CASSINI-HUYGENS, accessed 4 Apr. 2009.

  120. R.E. Johnson et al., “Production, Ionization and Redistribution of O2 in Saturn’s Ring Atmosphere,” Icarus 180 (2006):393–402.

    Google Scholar 

  121. Bjorn Carey, “Cassini Data Suggests Atmosphere for Saturn’s Rings” Space News (29 Aug. 2005), NASA NHRC 18337 Cassini 2002-.

    Google Scholar 

  122. NASA-JPL, “Saturn’s Mingling Moons May Share A Dark Past,” http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080219122014.htm, ScienceDaily (21 Feb. 2008), accessed 26 May 2009.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oakland, CA, USA

    Michael Meltzer

Authors
  1. Michael Meltzer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Meltzer, M. (2015). The interplanetary journey. In: The Cassini-Huygens Visit to Saturn. Springer Praxis Books(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-07608-9_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation