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Rascom |
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Rascom satellite in Cannes |
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Rascom |
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Rascom satellite in Cannes |
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Separation of Huygens and Cassini |
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Artist view of Cassini Huygens |
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In December 2004, the Huygens probe detached successfully from the Cassini spacecraft. |
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Huygens on Final Approach |
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Artist view of Huygens' approach to Titan |
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The Huygens probe was released from the Cassini spacecraft in December 2004. Huygens then began its final journey to Titan, Saturn’s largest satellite. |
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Huygens in integration |
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Engineer working on Huygens probe |
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Huygens Shield |
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Engineer working on Huygens shield |
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Its heat shield will enable it to survive intense friction and terrific temperatures upon entry. |
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Huygens' landing |
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Artist view of Huygens with opened parachute |
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Parachutes further slowed Huygens, pulling back the shield to expose delicate scientific instruments designed to gather and transmit a wide array of important atmospheric data. |
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Assembly of Huygens Cassini |
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Final Assembly of Cassini Huygens |
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Major technical challenges overcome by the Cassini-Huygens mission. |
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Huygens on Titan |
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Huygens landing on Titan with its parachute - © ESA |
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Parachute deployment at supersonic speed |
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Huygens on Titan's atmosphere |
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Huygens descent on Titan - © ESA |
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After separation from Cassini, Huygens continued its voyage to enter Titan's orange-tinged atmosphere and dropped below its dense cloudbank. |
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