Images: Saturn probe celebrates 10 years in space

On October 15, 1997, an Atlas rocket carrying the Cassini spacecraft lifted off from Earth as the first stage of its incredible journey to Saturn. The probe has been orbiting and studying the ringed planet since July 2004. Its original mission was scheduled for four years.

The spacecraft has landed a probe on an alien moon, discovered ice-spewing geysers that have created a ring around Saturn, and cut through a thick atmosphere to gain information about Titan. To celebrate Cassini's 10-year birthday, we'll revisit CNET News.com galleries that have chronicled its many discoveries.

Left, seconds into its flight, we have the first of many spectacular photos from the Cassini mission as the spacecraft was lifted into the clouds on its way to Saturn.