[X] My Assistant

[jasedm]

With the end of the prime mission looming, I thought it would be apposite to respectfully enquire into some of the plans for obs. of the smaller debris within saturn's thrall, from those who read and post here who are closely involved in the mission.

The two glamour moons Enceladus and Titan are getting things all their own way currently, and in the extended mission, both will (rightly) be the prime focus of Cassini - but what of the rocks??

It's difficult to garner much information on any attention Cassini may be programmed to lavish on the smaller moons, and Prometheus (for example) remains the only 'rock' not imaged appreciably closer than the Voyagers managed (so far).

There was posted here some time back, a fascinating PDF listing the '30 closest rock flybys in the PM tour' by UMSF member Tallbear (available here) It lists flyby ranges, phase angles, dates and times, and the 'usefulness' of the flybys. It also states whether the flybys are part of definitely planned Cassini ISS sequences or not - most are 'TBD' - To Be Decided.

All of the definitely included obs, have gone ahead (listed 'YES' on the spreadsheet), and of the 20 'TBD' flybys since 8th June '05, 6 have actually gone forward for imaging in the spacecraft sequences.

My (very cheeky) question is: Is there an updated version of this information including the XM? I know that there are at least a dozen UMSF members who would be exceptionally interested in the information, and I hope I'm not being rude by asking what others would be too shy to.

Jase