NASA just schooled actor Milo Ventimiglia about space because Twitter
Who knew that teaching actors about space science was part of NASA's mandate?
Milo Ventimiglia -- who plays Jack in This is Usand Jess on Gilmore Girls-- begged NASA via Twitter on Monday to keep the Cassini spacecraft "alive" in orbit around Saturn. And, because Twitter is the great equalizer, of course the space agency replied.
SEE ALSO:The sound of a spacecraft passing between Saturn and its rings is straight out of 'Alien'NASA's official Cassini account explained that the agency has no way to keep Cassini functioning after September, when the spacecraft is scheduled to make a planned death dive into the huge world's atmosphere, burning up in the process.
Tweet may have been deleted
Tweet may have been deleted
It's not that NASA doesn't want to keep Cassini alive at the ringed planet, you see. I promise you, Milo, no one will be sadder to see that spacecraft go than the scientists who have devoted their careers to it. It's just that Cassini is running out of fuel.
Plus, Cassini is plunging into Saturn's atmosphere in September for a very specific -- and not to mention altruistic -- reason.
If scientists were to just allow Cassini to totally run out of fuel and free-fall somewhere in the Saturnian system of moons, it could actually contaminate a world that might harbor alien life.
Tweet may have been deleted
It's possible that Enceladus and Titan -- two moons circling Saturn -- both have subsurface oceans that may actually be habitable. Who knows what microbes lurk there?
If Cassini were to slam into one of those moons, it could bring Earthly organisms to the surface of the world, possibly harming native life. By burning up in Saturn's atmosphere, Cassini avoids that possible issue.
The spacecraft has been studying Saturn and its dozens of moons since it arrived in 2004 after launching in 1997. In other words, this is a longmission.
Saturn as seen by Cassini.Credit: nasa/jpl-caltechIt's actually rare for spacecraft to live as long as Cassini has. In fact, it was never expected to survive so long in the first place. Cassini's initial mission was only set for four years, but NASA extended it twice.
Cassini's long life has transformed the way we understand Saturn and its place in the solar system, revealing new information about the planet's moons and rings.
So, Milo, please, let's just thank Cassini for its service and send it on its way to the great space robot heaven in the sky.
Cassini has done enough.
Featured Video For You
Watch clouds move above Saturn's largest moon in new NASA video
-
Apple Watch 10 rumors: Everything we know so far迅速掀起学习贯彻省党代会精神热潮派潭镇玉枕村:一张课桌椅造出10亿富民大产业6家广东茶企齐聚四川农博会,浓郁茶香征服茶叶采购商10 Places to Get to Know Paul Bunyan温馨五月花 感恩母亲节除“四害” 明日起至6月1日开展首次灭鼠消杀同比增长19.9% 我市“3+1”产业保持平稳增长态势Elon Musk's AI facility is reportedly operating gas turbines without a permit饶平有礼,湾区共享!省直中直帮扶队将联袂把饶平美味端上湾区市民餐桌
下一篇:18 Slightly Submerged Architectural Wonders
- ·Campbell highlights Washington Declaration amid security concerns over Putin
- ·创意海报丨第九届四川农博会广东展品抢先看,“广东嘢样样好!”
- ·拦网!扣杀!台山“侨VA”引爆排球热
- ·宣传文化战线积极探索创新主动学习贯彻省党代会精神
- ·How to trademark your TikTok phrase and protect your brand
- ·央行降息 我市首套房贷款利率并未打折
- ·荥经县关工委“六一”前夕看望小朋友
- ·荥经县招商引资到位资金6.86亿元
- ·US to oppose North Korean worker dispatch to occupied Ukrainian territory: State Dept.
- ·广东20人入围第二届全国乡村振兴青年先锋
- ·广东“土特产”组团亮相大湾区,乘风“出海”正当时
- ·走进苗场,解锁蔬菜设施育苗高效益密码!
- ·First officially approved Gen IV nuclear reactor in the US breaks ground
- ·创意海报丨第九届四川农博会广东展品抢先看,“广东嘢样样好!”
- ·宣传文化战线积极探索创新主动学习贯彻省党代会精神
- ·开展打击 非法集资宣传活动
- ·What to expect from Apple's September event: iPhone 16, Apple Watch 10, and more
- ·行走人间 仰望云天
- ·仅三天!近100家水产企业咨询参展,中国水产种业“第一展”等你来!
- ·除“四害” 明日起至6月1日开展首次灭鼠消杀
- ·Michael Cohen fights Donald Trump at the Supreme Court.
- ·调研中小微企业助力实体经济发展
- ·高考成绩出炉非法招生中介伺机而动
- ·雨城区法院查找不足再添措施争创“两个一流”
- ·If aliens harnessed solar power, could we detect them? NASA investigated.
- ·纸短情长!万名学子通书信,粤喀架起“连心桥”
- ·NCT member Taeil leaves band over sexual offense allegations
- ·雨城地税送税法到园区企业
- ·荥经县关工委“六一”前夕看望小朋友
- ·石棉联社开展“送金融知识下乡”活动
- ·Yoon touts pension reform drive amid stagnant popularity rating
- ·雨城联社成立新团委制定新目标 展现新气象
- ·仅三天!近100家水产企业咨询参展,中国水产种业“第一展”等你来!
- ·魅力雅女选拔赛9日开赛 评委支招从容迎战
- ·Cyrix: Gone But Not Forgotten
- ·6家广东茶企齐聚四川农博会,浓郁茶香征服茶叶采购商