Which spacecraft was an international robotic probe sent to Saturn?

Prepare for the Spaatz Aerospace Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Learn with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Cassini is the international robotic probe renowned for its mission to Saturn. Launched in 1997, it was a collaborative project involving NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The primary goals of the Cassini mission included studying Saturn's atmosphere, rings, and moons, with a focus on its largest moon, Titan.

The spacecraft provided unprecedented data and images that have greatly enhanced our understanding of the Saturnian system. Cassini's sophisticated instruments allowed it to perform complex scientific measurements and gather detailed information over its 13-year mission, culminating in a deliberate plunge into Saturn's atmosphere in 2017 to prevent contamination of its moons.

In contrast, Giotto was focused on studying comets, specifically Halley's Comet; the Mars Global Surveyor was dedicated to mapping and analyzing Mars; and the Pathfinders are more associated with lander missions to Mars. Thus, those options do not pertain to a mission involving Saturn, emphasizing Cassini's unique role in exploring that distant planet.

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