Doppler Data and Density Profile from Cassini Saturn Atmospheric Entry
Abstract
After thirteen years of surveying the Saturnian system and providing a multitude of ground-breaking science data, the Cassini spacecraft will perform its final act on September 15, 2017 when it plunges into Saturn's upper atmosphere. This `close contact' with uncharted territory will deliver sets of data about Saturn that were not previously obtainable. In addition to new information obtained from various science instruments onboard, the doppler signal, primarily used for navigation purposes throughout the tour, will in this circumstance furnish a glimpse of the atmospheric density along Cassini's path through the upper atmosphere. In this talk we will discuss preliminary results from our analysis of the doppler data and its implication on the atmospheric density.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFM.P31B2806W
- Keywords:
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- 5714 Gravitational fields;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: FLUID PLANETS;
- 5724 Interiors;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: FLUID PLANETS;
- 5734 Magnetic fields and magnetism;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: FLUID PLANETS;
- 6275 Saturn;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS