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[ ♪ ]

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A lone explorer

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on a mission to reveal

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the grandeur of Saturn,
its rings and moons

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[ ♪ ]

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After 20 years in space

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NASA's Cassini spacecraft
is running out of fuel.

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And so, to protect
moons of Saturn

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that could have conditions
suitable for life,

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a spectacular end
has been planned

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for this long-lived
traveler from Earth.

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Cassini's Grand Finale

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5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1

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[ rockets roar ]

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And liftoff of the
Cassini spacecraft

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on a billion-mile
trek to Saturn.

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We have cleared the tower.

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[ mission audio ]

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[ ♪ ]

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In 2004, following
a 7-year journey

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through the solar system,

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Cassini arrived at Saturn.

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[ mission audio ]

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June 30, 2004 Saturn
Orbit Insertion

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The spacecraft carried a
passenger,

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the European Huygens probe --

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the first human-made
object to land

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on a world in the distant
outer solar system.

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January 14, 2005

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Huygens Probe landing on Titan

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For over a decade,

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Cassini has shared
the wonders of Saturn

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and its family of icy moons,

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taking us to astounding worlds

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where methane rivers run

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to a methane sea.

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Where jets of ice and gas

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are blasting material into space

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from a liquid water ocean

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that might harbor the
ingredients for life.

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[ mission audio ]

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And Saturn --

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a giant world ruled
by raging storms

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and delicate
harmonies of gravity.

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[ ♪ ]

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Now, Cassini has one last,
daring assignment.

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April 26, 2017

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The grand finale begins.

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[ ♪ ]

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Cassini's Grand Finale is
a brand new adventure.

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[ ♪ ]

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Twenty-two dives
through the space

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between Saturn and its rings.

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[ ♪ ]

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As it repeatedly braves
this unexplored region,

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Cassini seeks new insights

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about the origins of the rings,

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and the nature of the
planet's interior --

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closer to Saturn
than ever before.

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[ ♪ ]

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On the final orbit,

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Cassini will plunge into Saturn

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fighting to keep its
antenna pointed at Earth

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as it transmits its farewell.

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[ ♪ ]

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In the skies of Saturn,

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the journey ends,

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[ ♪ ]

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as Cassini becomes part
of the planet itself.

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[ ♪ ]

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September 15, 2017

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End of mission.

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[ ♪ ]

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NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory