Which one of the following planets was explored by Cassini Mission launched by NASA, which ended in September 2017?
Saturn
Understanding the Cassini Mission and Planet Exploration
The question asks about the planet explored by the Cassini Mission, a significant space exploration endeavor launched by NASA.
What was the Cassini Mission?
The Cassini-Huygens mission was a collaborative unmanned spacecraft mission involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). It was launched in October 1997.
The primary goal of the Cassini mission was to study a specific planet and its many moons and rings in detail. The mission carried a probe, named Huygens, which successfully landed on one of the planet's moons.
Cassini's Destination Planet
The Cassini spacecraft traveled through the solar system for almost seven years before arriving at its destination. Upon arrival, it entered orbit around the target planet to begin its extensive study. The mission conducted numerous flybys of the planet's moons and captured stunning images and data about the planet's atmosphere, rings, and magnetosphere.
The mission concluded in September 2017 when the spacecraft performed a planned controlled entry into the planet's atmosphere, burning up as a safety measure to prevent contamination of potential ocean worlds on the moons.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the given options and determine which planet was the target of the Cassini Mission:
- Sun: The Sun is a star, not a planet. While missions like the Parker Solar Probe study the Sun, Cassini was designed to explore a planet.
- Neptune: Neptune is a gas giant planet in the outer solar system. It has been visited by the Voyager 2 probe, but not by a dedicated, long-term orbital mission like Cassini.
- Saturn: Saturn is a gas giant known for its prominent rings and numerous moons. Cassini was specifically designed and launched to study Saturn and its system. The Huygens probe landed on Saturn's moon Titan. The mission ended with Cassini entering Saturn's atmosphere in September 2017.
- Jupiter: Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and was studied by missions like Voyager, Galileo, and Juno. While Cassini performed a flyby of Jupiter for a gravity assist maneuver on its way to its main target, Jupiter was not the primary planet explored by the mission.
Based on the objectives and history of the Cassini Mission, its primary target and the planet it explored extensively was Saturn.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Target Planet | Saturn |
| Launch Date | October 15, 1997 |
| Arrival at Saturn | July 1, 2004 |
| Mission End Date | September 15, 2017 |
| Probe Carried | Huygens (landed on Titan) |
Therefore, the planet explored by the Cassini Mission, which ended in September 2017, was Saturn.
Revision Table: Cassini Mission Facts
| Question Point | Relevant Cassini Fact |
|---|---|
| Mission Name | Cassini Mission (or Cassini-Huygens) |
| Launching Agency (Lead) | NASA (with ESA and ASI) |
| Exploration Target | Saturn and its system (rings, moons) |
| End Date Mentioned | September 2017 |
Additional Information: Space Exploration Missions
NASA and other space agencies have launched numerous missions to explore planets in our solar system. Here are a few examples of missions targeting other planets mentioned in the options:
- Jupiter: Missions like Voyager, Galileo, and Juno have studied Jupiter.
- Neptune: Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft that has visited Neptune, performing a flyby in 1989.
- Sun: Missions like the Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter study the Sun closely.
Each mission is designed with specific scientific objectives and equipped with instruments tailored to study its target environment.
Similar Questions
Which one of the following statements is not correct?
Which one of the following statements about reusable space vehicle of ISRO is not correct?
Which of the following statements about India’s scientific and research mission in Antarctica is/are correct?
1. The first scientific base station in Antarctica was Dakshin Gangotri.
2. Dakshin Gangotri is now being used as a supply base and transit camp.
3. The Maitri station is manned throughout the year for scientific activities.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:Consider the following statements about James Webb Space Telescope (JWST):
1. It is the largest observatory ever launched into space.
2. It has been developed by NASA in partnership with the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Which one of the following statements is true for James Webb Space Telescope launched in December 2021?
Photo 51 refers to an image of
Which of the following statements about Bit coin is/are correct?
1. It is a decentralized virtual currency.
2. It is generated through complex computer software systems.
3. The Reserve Bank of India recognized it as a legal tender in January 2016.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:Which one of the following is the first commercial space station?
To study which one of the following was a spacecraft launched that would be farthest from the Sun and would run exclusively on solar power?
India's maiden human space mission will be launched in 2023. What is its name?
Important Questions from Science and Technology
Which of the following is NOT a global positioning system ?
What technology is bitcoin built on?
Which of the following two statements is / are correct?
a. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) generates thin section images of any part of the human body.
b. CT Scan is superior to X-rays and MRI.
The term ‘ACE2’ is talked about in the context of
With reference to recent developments regarding ‘Recombinant Vector Vaccines’, consider the following statements :
1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines.
2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
