Tidal forces require a significant difference in gravity from one side of an object to another.<br /><br />Cassini is small, and so such a difference will be minor. Furthermore, cassini is made of much sturdier material than even a moon (which is just a conglomerate of silicates), as it is tempered and forged steel. As such, the craft can endure forces far beyond the limits of a naturally occuring asteroid, comet or moon.<br /><br />Really, I don't think the tidal forces of Saturn will ever be enough to rip apart a steel object the size of cassini. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p align="center"><font color="#c0c0c0"><br /></font></p><p align="center"><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">--------</font></em></font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">----</font></em></font><font color="#666699">SaiphMOD@gmail.com </font><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">-------------------</font></em></font></p><p><font color="#999999"><em><font size="1">"This is my Timey Wimey Detector. Goes "bing" when there's stuff. It also fries eggs at 30 paces, wether you want it to or not actually. I've learned to stay away from hens: It's not pretty when they blow" -- </font></em></font><font size="1" color="#999999">The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>