Cassini, bambini,
we’ve come to say goodbye.
Cassini, bambini,
it’s time to leave the sky.
You’ve looped the loop
through Saturn’s rings,
you’ve shown the world
all kinds of things.
You’ve shown us plumes
of icy spray,
but now it’s time
you went away.
Cassini, bambini,
we’ve come to say goodbye.
Cassini, bambini,
it’s time to leave the sky.
You’ve shown us Titan’s
lakes and dunes,
you’ve shown us rain
on mountain moons.
You’ve shown us sights
we’d never guessed
and through your eyes
we’ve seen the best.
Cassini, bambini,
we’ve come to say goodbye.
Cassini, bambini,
it’s time to leave the sky.
You’ve shown us moons
we’d never seen,
and one where life
has likely been.
You’ve shown six-sided
ancient storms
and flown through
sunlit rocky swarms.
Cassini, bambini,
we’ve come to say goodbye.
Cassini, bambini,
it’s time to leave the sky.
For thirteen years
you’ve flown alone,
a spacecraft not
a mindless drone.
We’re children of
Cassini now,
we’re older for
your final bow.
Cassini, bambini,
we’ve come to say goodbye.
Cassini, bambini,
it’s time to leave the sky.
You’ve shown us beauty
time again,
but now your life
must sadly wane
and though we see
a Saturn where
its moons sculpt art
with graceful care
it’s time to let you
crash and burn
and though we’ll
all regret and yearn
Cassini, bambini,
it’s time to leave the sky.
Cassini, bambini,
we thank you, now goodbye.
—
On Friday, September 15th 2017 the Cassini craft made its final dive onto the surface of Saturn and left us older and wiser. Thank you and goodbye.