A picture of the Cassini probe before launch
Click on image for full size
Image courtesy of NASA

Related links:

Cassini Mission Homepage

Cassini Probe Burning for Venus
News story originally written on December 2, 1998

The Cassini Spacecraft will fire its engine tonight to change its course. It will start firing on December 2nd at 10:00 p.m. PST, which is December 3rd at 0600 GMT. You can watch Cassini's speed change right as the engine fires. Just follow the link from the Cassini Mission Homepage.

The spacecraft needs to slow down by 452 m/s. Then it will pass near Venus for a gravity assist on its way to Saturn.

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