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Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft flies between Saturn and its rings, show pictures of planet’s clouds

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Saturn's atmosphere is seen closer than ever before, an image captured by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft during its first Grand Finale dive past the planet on April 26 and released on April 27, 2017. Photo: Nasa/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute handout via Reuters
Associated Press

Nasa’s Cassini spacecraft has survived an unprecedented trip between Saturn and its rings, and has amazing pictures to show for it.

Flight controllers regained contact with Cassini on Thursday, a day after it became the first craft to cross this hazardous region. The rings are comprised of countless icy particles, any of which could have smacked Cassini.

A handout photo made available by Nasa shows an unprocessed image of features in Saturn's atmosphere that are closer than ever before, captured by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft during its first Grand Finale dive past the planet on April 26, 2017. As it dove through the gap, Cassini came within about 3,000km of Saturn's cloud tops and within about 300km of the innermost visible edge of the rings. Photo: Nasa/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute handout via EPA
A handout photo made available by Nasa shows an unprocessed image of features in Saturn's atmosphere that are closer than ever before, captured by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft during its first Grand Finale dive past the planet on April 26, 2017. As it dove through the gap, Cassini came within about 3,000km of Saturn's cloud tops and within about 300km of the innermost visible edge of the rings. Photo: Nasa/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute handout via EPA

The spacecraft’s big dish antenna served as a shield as it hurtled through the narrow gap, temporarily cutting off communications.

Cassini skimmed 1,900 miles (3,100 kilometres) above Saturn’s cloud tops, closer than ever before, and came within 200 miles (320 kilometres) of the innermost visible ring. Scientists say the pictures show details never seen before.

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