Spacecraft do not have a standard orbit, as their closest approach to celestial bodies like Tethys depends on various factors including kinetic energy, engine performance, and fuel. Tethys has been visited by several probes, including Pioneer 11, Voyager 1, Voyager 2, and Cassini, which had varying closest approaches. Cassini's closest approach to Tethys was approximately 78,000 km, while typical distances ranged from 200,000 km to 2,000,000 km. The discussion highlights the complexity of spacecraft trajectories, which are not simple circular orbits. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for planning future missions to Tethys and similar celestial bodies.
