A picture of the Cassini probe before launch
Click on image for full size
Image courtesy of NASA

Related links:

Cassini Mission Homepage

Cassini Probe Burning for Venus
News story originally written on December 2, 1998

The Cassini spacecraft will conduct a major course correction (called a deep space maneuver, or DSM) on December 2nd at 10:00 p.m. PST (December 3rd at 0600 GMT). You will be able to see Cassini's speed change live during the DSM. Just follow the link from the Cassini Mission Homepage.

The spacecraft will fire its engine to slow its speed relative to the sun by 452 m/s. This will allow Cassini to rendezvous with Venus for a gravity assist on its way to Saturn.


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