This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
What were you up to back in 1997? It was an exciting year. Titanic was setting box office records, Dolly the sheep was getting cloned, and the very first Harry Potter book was hitting shelves. It was also the year that a bus-sized NASA spacecraft named Cassini launched. Carrying the ESA Huygens probe, Cassini set off for Saturn to learn all about the lovely ringed planet.
After almost 20 years, Cassini is entering its last phase, building up to the "Grand Finale" that will culminate in September 2017 (if all goes well).
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That's how you have a retirement party, people. Read all about this business at saturn.jpl.nasa.gov.