Critical monitoring of the Cassini Saturn Orbit Insertion maneuver

The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft will have spent seven years since launch by the time it reaches Saturn and its satellites. The primary mission will begin after the Saturn Orbit Insertion (SOI) scheduled for early July 2004. the insertion will require a critical navigational maneuver that involves firing the orbiter's thrusters leading to the capture in the gravity well of the planet. This paper will describe the challenges and plans by the Cassini Program to monitor the Saturn Orbit Insertion Maneuver.