The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft completes a second pass over Titan in preparation for a January touchdown. In a move for the future, the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft is starting to fine-tune for landing as it draws closer to the moon Titan. Almost grazing its atmosphere, the spacecraft just completed the closest pass ever over the moon. Cassini came within a slim 745 miles of the surface of Titan, Saturn's largest satellite. The latest over-flight is the second of three passes the spacecraft is making to refine its final approach for landing in January. Following the flyby, Cassini began transmitting the nearly 500 images taken with its normal light and infrared mapping cameras. Visible in the images are the moon's dense gaseous cloud cover and distinct surface features. The close approach is part of the spacecraft's preparations for releasing the Huygens probe into Titan's murky atmosphere. Made up of methane and other gases, Titan is our solar system's only moon with an atmosphere. After touchdown, the Huygens probe will analyze the moon's mysterious surface. Scientists suspect frozen in Titan's icy terrain may be organic compounds- the very same chemicals that led to the genesis of life here on Earth.
Most NASA images are in the public domain and free to use. Credit NASA as the source. Check NASA's media usage guidelines for details. Images featuring identifiable individuals may require additional permissions.
NASA ID
ksc_110404_cassini_flyby
Date Created
November 5, 2004
Center
KSC
Media Type
video
Photographer
NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Download this video in multiple resolutions. All NASA media are free for public use.
Captions
Subtitles