Previous spacecraft flew past the gas giant at an equatorial level, capturing wonderful views of the zones and belts but revealing little about its polar regions. (sciencedaily.com)
Unlike previous spacecraft, which have snatched a passing glimpse of the planet on their way to the edges of the solar system, Cassini has beamed back stunningly detailed images year after year. (newscientist.com)
Previous spacecraft launched under New Frontiers include New Horizons, which surveyed Pluto and is now due to visit MU69, an icy object in the farthest reaches of the solar system; Juno, now in orbit around Jupiter; and OSIRIS - REx, launched last year, which will collect samples from an asteroid and return them to Earth. (sciencemag.org)