Cassini Grand Finale - Tumblr Posts

The Death of an Explorer (Brave Cassini)

The scientists at JPL looked at each other somberly. It was September 15th, 2017. The end of the Cassini mission. "Cassini, can you hear us?" There was a slight delay, and then Cassini's artificial voice replied. "Of course! Today is the last day of my mission, right?" Glances were exchanged. "Yes it is, Cass. Today's your last day on the job. But we need you to do one more thing for us." "Sure!" the probe replied chipperly. "We need you to..." the speaker hesitated. "We need you to skim Saturn's atmosphere and tell us everything you can. Sending you the trajectory plans now." "Oh wow!" the AI gasped. "That's gonna be so fun! I thought nothing could top the ring dives but now you're-" Cass stopped short. After a long silence, it resumed speaking. Quieter. "...oh. These parameters... the fuel gauge..." "Cass, we-" "I'm not going to come home, am I?" The question, phrased more as a statement, hit the room full of professionals and the millions of people watching online like a truck. "I was never meant to come home. Was I." "Cassini, we couldn't. The resources, the planning, the-" The speaker paused. "...they wouldn't let us. We tried." "No, it's okay. I understand. I'm out here to explore. Just like the Voyagers and Pioneers. I'm out here to make sure you know what you're doing when you finally come out here too. That's my job, and I'm gonna keep doing my job." "Thank you, Cass. And... it won't hurt. We promise." "I know. I can't feel pain. But..." the AI's voice broke a little. "I'm scared. I just entered the upper atmosphere and I can already feel parts of me breaking off." The emotion in the room was heavy. Some of the staff were already crying. "Do... do people get scared of not existing?" Cass asked after a long pause. "Is this what it's like to die? I guess I never thought about what dying was like. It's like saying goodbye, but forever... I don't like goodbyes." "Humans- ...humans don't like goodbyes either, Cassini. But it's okay. Because we'll all remember you. Our wonderful, brave little Cassini who taught us so much." At least half the room was in tears by now, and the other half was fighting to keep from deteriorating into hysteria. "...I love you." They all broke. "We know, Cassini," the speaker said, choking back sobs. "We love you too. Thank you so much." "I'll miss you." "We'll miss you t-" Static engulfed the communications line as the probe exploded in the atmosphere.