SCIENCE CHANNEL TO GO LIVE FOR CASSINI'S GRAND FINALE ON SEPTEMBER 15 AS IT PLUNGES INTO SATURN

Network To Also Air Special Cassini Episode of Space's Deepest Secrets On September 19 at 9PM

(New York) - Science Channel will follow the final moments of NASA's Cassini spacecraft before it crashes into the atmosphere of Saturn. On Friday, September 15th the Cassini mission will end its remarkable 13-year tour of Saturn by plunging into the gas giant and burning up. Cassini has spent months diving close to Saturn's rings, offering the world remarkable never-before-seen images of the planet. Now we'll see what it looks like from inside its famous rings. Science Channel captures the months of lead-up to the mission's 'Grand Finale,' as well images taken right before the crash, in SPACE'S DEEPEST SECRETS: CASSINI, premiering Tuesday, September 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The network will also go live on September 15 at 7:50 a.m., broadcasting Cassini's final moments.

The images taken by Cassini have provided the closest ever look at Saturn's swirling cloud tops, as well as the first accurate measurement of its magnetic field. It will be a fitting end to one of the most scientifically fascinating space missions ever undertaken. SPACE'S DEEPEST SECRETS: CASSINI recounts the 20-year history of the mission, its countless discoveries and awe-inspiring images, and how it has completely transformed our understanding of Saturn, its rings and moons.

"After spending more than a decade following the amazing Cassini spacecraft, it's a great opportunity to celebrate the mission and team behind one of humanity's most profound journeys of exploration," said Wyatt Channell, Executive Producer, Science Channel.

Science Channel will also premiere a new episode of THE PLANETS that explores Saturn on Tuesday, September 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. THE PLANETS is hosted by former NASA Astronaut Mike Massimino.

After a decade of orbiting and two mission extensions beyond its planned lifetime, Cassini is nearly out of fuel. The Cassini team has chosen to end the mission by burning it up in Saturn's atmosphere, partly to protect it's two moons, Enceladus and Titan, that may have oceans suitable for life, and to provide a once in a lifetime chance to peer into Saturn's atmosphere. In the lead-up to this, we'll see the closest images ever taken of Saturn's swirling cloud tops, and will collect new information about Saturn's atmosphere and interior. During its final plunge, Cassini will continuously download data up until the last few moments of its existence. Science Channel will be there for this nail-biting ride, until the signal stops - an emotional moment for everyone on the team, the final stop on a 20-year journey, and the last time we'll be able to see Saturn up close for at least a decade.

About Science Channel

Science Channel, a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications, is the home of all things science around the clock, including series such as THROUGH THE WORMHOLE WITH MORGAN FREEMAN, OUTRAGEOUS ACTS OF SCIENCE, WHAT ON EARTH?, HOW THE UNIVERSE WORKS, UNEARTHED, and HOW IT'S MADE. Science Channel's programming also includes daily news updates with SCIENCE PRESENTS DNEWS and timely, expert-driven specials covering breaking science news and discoveries. Science Channel is the premiere TV, digital and social community for those with a passion for science, space, technology, archeology, and engineering, providing immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment across all Science Channel assets including: Science Channel television network, available in more than 72 million homes in the U.S; complimentary Video On Demand offering; SCI Go app allowing viewers to catch up on full episodes of their favorite shows anytime; deep video, interactive storytelling and virtual reality at www.sciencechannel.com; and conversations on Science Channel's popular social platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat via @ScienceChannel.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 220 countries and territories. For 30 years Discovery has been dedicated to satisfying curiosity and entertaining viewers with high-quality content through its global television brands, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery and Science, as well as U.S. joint venture network OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Discovery controls Eurosport, the leading pan-regional sports entertainment destination across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools, including an award-winning series of K-12 digital textbooks, through Discovery Education, and a digital leader with a diversified online portfolio, including Discovery Digital Networks. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.