Cassini-Huygens probe, computer artwork. The joint NASA-ESA Cassini-Huygens spacecraft was launched from Earth in 1997. It consists of two components the Cassini orbiter attached to the Huygens probe. Huygens separated from Cassini on 25th December 2004, and descended to the surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan, in early 2005. As of 2013, Cassini is still orbiting Saturn and its mission has been extended to 2017.