How much fuel does cassini have on board?

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In summary, Cassini has been flying around our solar system since 1997 and still has years of flying to go. It primarily uses momentum for long journeys, with only short engine burns for course corrections and orbital insertions. However, some spacecraft, such as those with ion-drives, can operate their engines for longer periods to achieve high speeds. For more information and images, visit NASA's Cassini-Huygens website, which includes dramatic pictures of the moon Phoebe.
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fbsthreads
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Cassini has been flying around our solar system since 1997 and it still has years of flying to go.

how much fuel does it have on board (or did have when it first set off)

it can't be burning fuel all the time surely, it must use momentum for long journeys.
 
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Most spacecraft only make engine burns for short events such as course corrections and orbital insertions. Cassini has been coasting for the vast majority of the trip to Saturn.

The exceptions to this rule are craft propelled by ion-drives, which operate for much longer periods. The tiny but steady thrust produced by these engines builds up over time to accelerate a vehicle to great speeds.

You might be interested in NASA's Cassini-Huygens website:

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov
 
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Dramatic pics of the moon Phoebe at that NASA site.
 

1. How much fuel does Cassini have on board?

Cassini has approximately 2,040 kilograms (4,500 pounds) of fuel on board. This fuel is used to power the spacecraft's thrusters and allow it to maneuver in space.

2. How long will Cassini's fuel last?

The fuel on Cassini is expected to last until the end of its mission in September 2017. This is because the spacecraft will use its fuel for various maneuvers and adjustments during its mission, gradually depleting its supply.

3. How does Cassini's fuel work?

The fuel on Cassini is a mixture of two types of liquid propellant - monomethylhydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO). When these two chemicals come into contact with each other, they ignite and create a burst of hot gas that is directed through the spacecraft's thrusters, providing the necessary propulsion.

4. Can Cassini refuel during its mission?

No, Cassini does not have the capability to refuel during its mission. Once its fuel is depleted, the spacecraft will no longer be able to maneuver and will eventually become inoperable.

5. How much fuel does Cassini need for its final mission?

Cassini's final mission, known as the Grand Finale, requires a significant amount of fuel to execute various orbits and flybys of Saturn and its moons. It is estimated that the spacecraft will use about 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds) of fuel for this final phase of its mission.

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