- #1
bozo the clown
- 93
- 0
Was wondering how they steered cassini through saturns rings, on that note how do they know where these probes are at anyone time.
How they steered cassini through saturns rings
- Context: Undergrad
- Thread starter bozo the clown
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Rings
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the methods used to steer the Cassini spacecraft through Saturn's rings and how its position is tracked during its mission. Participants explore the technical aspects of navigation and control of space probes, including communication with mission control and the use of onboard systems.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions how Cassini was steered through Saturn's rings and how its location is determined.
- Another participant humorously suggests a "Universal Positioning System" and speculates that the spacecraft's trajectory was preplanned before launch, likening it to an airplane's autopilot.
- A third participant provides a brief explanation that NASA maintains constant communication with the spacecraft, allowing for confirmation of its course through data signals, and mentions the use of thrusters for course corrections.
- One participant expresses amazement at the ability to steer a spacecraft millions of miles away, noting the time delay in communication and speculating about the technology and personnel involved in mission control.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree on the importance of communication and preplanning in navigating the spacecraft, but there are humorous and speculative elements that do not reach consensus on the specifics of the technology used.
Contextual Notes
There are assumptions about the technology and methods used for navigation and communication that are not fully detailed, and the discussion includes speculative elements that remain unresolved.
Who May Find This Useful
Readers interested in space exploration, spacecraft navigation, and the technical operations of mission control may find this discussion relevant.
- #2
pnjabiloafer
- 27
- 0
umm.. UPS? instead of GPS, they probably have some Universal Positioning System? 
hehe, but actually, i think they had already preplaned the direction the spacecraft would take, before it even was launched, and they always put some smart chip or something on there, much like the "Auto-Pilot" on airplanes these days. 
hehe, but actually, i think they had already preplaned the direction the spacecraft would take, before it even was launched, and they always put some smart chip or something on there, much like the "Auto-Pilot" on airplanes these days. - #3
Phobos
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 1,958
- 7
Brief answer (I'm sure someone could provide more details)...
NASA stays in constant contact with the spacecraft , sending instructions and receiving data. So, those signals allow NASA to confirm that the spacecraft is on-course.
The spacecraft is equipped with thrusters that allow for course corrections.
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/ spacecraft /index.cfm
Also note that they steered the spacecraft through one of the gaps in Saturn's rings so that they wouldn't hit the debris.
NASA stays in constant contact with the spacecraft , sending instructions and receiving data. So, those signals allow NASA to confirm that the spacecraft is on-course.
The spacecraft is equipped with thrusters that allow for course corrections.
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/ spacecraft /index.cfm
Also note that they steered the spacecraft through one of the gaps in Saturn's rings so that they wouldn't hit the debris.
- #4
bozo the clown
- 93
- 0
Yes i find it amazing how they can steer this craft millions of miles away through the rings of Saturn what with the time delay too. One assumes they are using some kind of local radar and whatever else as well as a lot of computing to detect its course.
I guess that's why they have all those people with headphones and computers you see at the mission control controlling one probe.
I often wonder what all those people do.
I guess that's why they have all those people with headphones and computers you see at the mission control controlling one probe.
I often wonder what all those people do.
Last edited:
Similar threads
- · Replies 1 ·
High School
We have kittens in orbit around Saturn
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 5 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
Graduate
Is Saturn's 63rd Moon Being Born?
- · Replies 2 ·
- · Replies 16 ·
- · Replies 28 ·
- · Replies 8 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 3 ·