The Cassini and Saturn probe - Cassini spacecraft at Saturn - Artist's view of the...

The Cassini and Saturn probe - Cassini spacecraft at Saturn - Artist's view of the Cassini probe during its final dip into the atmosphere of Saturn on September 15, 2017. As depicted in this illustration, Cassini will plunge into Saturn's atmosphere on Sept 15, 2017. Using its attitude control thrusters, the spacecraft will work to keep its antenna pointed at Earth while it sends its final data, including the composition of Saturn's upper atmosphere. The atmospheric torque will quickly become stronger than what the thrusters can compensate for, and after that point, Cassini will begin to tumble. When this happens, its radio connection to Earth will be severed, ending the mission. Following loss of signal, the spacecraft will burn up like a meteor in Saturn's upper atmosphere.