BREATHTAKING IMAGES FROM CASSINIS JOURNEY TO SATURN

On October 15, 1997, Cassini launched from Cape Canaveral on its way to Saturn, which finally arrived on June 30, 2004. This is how it all began. 

In April, this year, Cassini began the first in a series of 22 weekly 'dives' between Saturn and its rings before finally descending into the planet's atmosphere. One of the coolest parts of this "grand finale" is that the probe will continue sending images and data until the very end, providing those back on Earth with an unprecedented up-close view of the ringed giant. 

Check out some shots from its long journey in the gallery above.