| Artists impression of the Huygens probe descending under parachute
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| LAUNCH DATE: |
15-Oct-1997 08:43 UT
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| MISSION END: | Huygens Probe - 14 Jan 2005
Cassini Orbiter - mission extended to mid 2010
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| LAUNCH VEHICLE: | Titan-IVB/Centaur |
| LAUNCH MASS: | 6000 kg |
| MISSION PHASE: |
Huygens - Mission Completed 14 January 2005
Cassini - Orbital Tour |
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To reach Saturn, Cassini-Huygens used a series of gravity-assist manoeuvres, with swing-bys from Venus (2x), Earth and Jupiter.
On 1 July 2004 the spacecraft entered into orbit around Saturn after being captured by the planet's gravity. |
The Huygens probe has successfully landed on Saturn's largest moon Titan. At around 11:30 UTC 14 January 2005 the probe touched down on the surface of this distant world. This event makes it the only landing to take place in the outer Solar System and the furthest from Earth. |
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A NASA/ESA/ASI mission to explore the Saturnian system. The ESA component consists largely of the Huygens probe, which entered the atmosphere of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, and descended under parachute down to the surface. The Cassini spacecraft is undertaking an extensive exploration of the Saturnian system with its rings and many satellites. Having completed its primary four-year tour in June 2008, Cassini is now in a two-year mission extension. |
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