Cassini’s Grand Finale: 22 Dives Between Saturn and Its Rings
The short version
NASA JPL's animated video describes Cassini's Grand Finale, in which the spacecraft, running out of fuel after 20 years in space, makes 22 dives between Saturn and its rings before plunging into the planet. It also looks back at the mission, including the arrival at Saturn in 2004 and the Huygens probe.
Questions this video answers
How many dives does Cassini make in its Grand Finale?
Twenty-two times, through the unexplored space between Saturn and its rings.
Why is Cassini's mission ending this way?
After 20 years in space the spacecraft is running out of fuel, and the planned end is meant to protect moons of Saturn that could have conditions suitable for life.
What happens on Cassini's final orbit?
On the final orbit it plunges into Saturn while trying to keep its antenna pointed at Earth as it transmits its farewell.
What passenger did Cassini carry?
The European Huygens probe, described as the first human-made object to land on a world in the distant outer solar system.