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curiousuburb
Antimatter Man
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: that interweb thing
 
2004-06-18, 20:17

Quote:
Cassini Spacecraft Makes Final Course Change to Saturn

PASADENA, California (AP) _ The Cassini spacecraft successfully completed what is expected to be its last course-correction maneuver before reaching Saturn, NASA said Thursday.

The maneuver, performed Wednesday, adjusted the course Cassini will take to pass through a gap between two of Saturn's rings when the craft enters orbit on June 30.

"This should be our final approach maneuver. It's on to Saturn and orbit insertion," said Earl Maize, deputy program manager for the mission at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

During the maneuver, Cassini's main engine burned for 38 seconds to slow the craft by about 8 mph (13 kph). Tracking data will be evaluated over several days to ensure that the path is correct.

"All indications show that everything is on target," the National Aeronautics and Space Administration statement said.
NASA TV has pre Orbit Insertion Press Conferences on the 29th and 30th, currently plans a post Orbit Insertion Press Conference on the 1st and already has a preliminary Cassini Science Briefing set for July 2nd with photos of the rings the closest they'll ever be during the 4 year mission.

www.Scaled.com 's Pioneering Private Spaceflight is scheduled for this coming Monday.
Pilot choice still 'up in the air'.

And... it sounds like we might get bonus Bootid meteor showers Tuesday night and next weekend.

*prepares for kink in neck from looking up*
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