Missions to Saturn
| Mission |
Country |
Launch Date |
Arrival Date |
Type |
Encounter Characteristics |
|
| Pioneer 11 |
USA |
April 6, 1973 |
September 1, 1979 |
Flyby |
Transmitted low-resolution images and other data about Saturn.
Discovered additional rings and moons not previously known |
| Voyager 1 |
USA |
September 5, 1977 |
November 13, 1980 |
Flyby |
900 images of Saturn's moons
Major discoveries were the unexpected complexity of the rings and
the true nature of Titan's atmosphere. |
| Voyager 2 |
USA |
August 20, 1977 |
August 26, 1981 |
Flyby |
1150 images of Saturn's moons
Had a scan platform malfunction, yet virtually all objectives were
met. |
| Cassini |
USA, ESA, Italy |
October 13, 1997 |
July 1, 2004 |
Orbiter/Atmospheric probe |
12 science experiments will help scientists understand Saturn's moons, rings, atmosphere, and magnetosphere.
Huygens, an atmospheric probe carried aboard Cassini, will parachute through Titan's atmosphere. |
An Overview of Space Exploration
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