R.I.P. Cassini
After 20 years, nearly 300 orbits and pioneering discoveries, the spacecraft plunges to its death in Saturn’s atmosphere
![Illustration of Cassini's death](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/091417_LG_cassini_death_main.jpg?fit=860%2C460&ssl=1)
BLAZE OF GLORY Cassini burned up like a comet above Saturn’s cloud tops just before 5 a.m. PDT on September 15. This artist’s illustration shows what it may have looked like.
JPL-Caltech/NASA