Roughly two stories tall and weighing more
than six tons, Cassini is one of the largest interplanetary spacecraft
ever launched. This computer-generated image identifies most of
the major components that Cassini will carry to Saturn, including
two pallets laden with various instruments for carrying out the
mission's science investigations. Three separate antennas-one
high gain and two low gain-will enable the orbiter to communicate
with Earth.
The cone-shaped Huygens Titan probe, only partially
visible from this perspective, will detach from the main spacecraft
after Cassini arrives at its destination and conduct its own investigations.
Six of Cassini's eighteen science instruments are situated on
the probe. Among these are a gas chemical analyzer designed to
identify various atmospheric elements, a device to collect aerosols
for chemical composition analysis, a camera that can take images
and make wide-range spectral measurements, and an instrument whose
sensors will measure the physical and electrical properties of
Titan's atmosphere.
Electrical power for Cassini's long voyage
comes from three radioisotope thermoelectric generators, or RTGs.
These sophisticated generators produce power by converting heat
into electrical energy. RTGs have no moving parts and are a very
reliable source of energy. Propulsion for large changes to the
orbiter's trajectory is provided by two powerful 445-N engines.
Sixteen smaller engines, known as thrusters, will serve to control
Cassini's orientation in space and make small changes to the spacecraft's
flight path. (P-46356)
