Craft’s 32 Stop Tour of Saturn

THE European space mission nearing Saturn will make “a grand tour” of the planet exploring its 32 known satellites, scientists said yesterday.

Over the next four years, the Cassini-Huygens space craft will explore the planet’s rings, moons and other icy satellites orbiting it.

It will reach the planet in a month’s time after travelling for seven years.

The peak of the pounds 2billion mission will come in January when the Huygens lander, with six British-built instruments, lands on Saturn’s moon Titan.

Prof Ian Halliday, of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, said: “Saturn is hailed as the jewel of the solar system.

“It has fascinated us for centuries. We stand on the threshold of a wealth of scientific discovery as we unveil Saturn’s secrets.”