Cassini Samples Titan's Atmosphere
Cassini Samples Titan’s Atmosphere
On March 25, just prior to its closest approach at an altitude of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), Cassini employed its Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer to examine Titan’s upper atmosphere in yet another successful flyby of the orange-tinged moon. Immediately after closest approach, the spacecraft’s Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer captured images of Titan near the Huygens landing site.
Titan Flyby at a Glance
Date
Mar. 25, 2008
Altitude
620 miles (1,000 km)
Speed
14,000 mph (6.3 km/sec)