This graphic illustrates arrival of the Cassini
spacecraft at Saturn and the initial orbit about Saturn. Upon
entering the Saturn system, the Cassini spacecraft performs a
1.5 hour orbit insertion burn on July 1, 2004. This maneuver slows
the spacecraft sufficiently to enter orbit about Saturn and defines
the start of the four year orbital mission. The initial orbit
is the largest and longest orbit in the orbital tour. A large
periapsis raise maneuver is performed a couple of months later
to move the closest approach point at Saturn beyond Saturn's inner
rings and also to establish the geometry required for probe entry
at the first Titan flyby 2.5 months later. The Huygens probe is
separated from the Cassini spacecraft about 3 weeks before descending
through the Titan atmosphere on November 27. An orbiter deflection
maneuver is performed shortly after probe release to prevent the
orbiter from following the probe into Titan's atmosphere, and
to place it in the best geometry to receive the probe's radio
transmissions. (JPL-27089AC)
