Cassini is in danger of being damaged by ice particles

According to scientists, small pieces of ice or dust particles are at risk of causing the Cassini probe to be badly damaged when the ship flies over the ice-covered Enceladus satellite in March 2008.

Images taken from the Cassini ship to Earth in 2005 showed ice crystal geysers at the southern tip of Enceladus. These crystals are derived from fractures caused by hot spring sources, called " tiger stripes ".

The probe of the probe across Enceladus satellite is expected in March next year to allow observations of ice crystals erupting from the crevices. However, scientists fear that these ice particles damage the Cassini vessel.

The probe will fly on Enceladus satellite at less than 100km altitude.

"A grain of ice or dust with a size of about 2mm can cause a Cassini ship to be seriously damaged if it touches a sensitive part of the ship," said researcher Larry Esposito of the University of Colorado.

Mr. Esposito presented these conclusions at the European Planetary Society, Postdam (Germany).

(Photo: Nasa / Reuters)

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