NASA’s Psyche Asteroid Probe Launches on Ground-Shaking Mission
On Oct. 13, 2023, NASA’s Psyche asteroid probe began its epic journey into space aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket, embarking on a 2.2-billion-mile expedition to a unique asteroid rich in metals. The $1.2 billion mission aims to unravel the mysteries surrounding the formation of Earth’s rocky planets by studying the core of this rare celestial body.
According to principal investigator Lindy Elkins-Tanton of NASA, “Psyche is the single largest metallic object in our solar system. So if we want to learn about our cores, that’s where we need to go.”
After experiencing multiple delays due to the COVID pandemic and stormy weather, the Psyche mission finally launched at 10:19 a.m. EDT from the Kennedy Space Center. The momentous liftoff saw the Falcon Heavy’s 27 first-stage engines igniting and propelling the rocket smoothly into space with over 5 million pounds of thrust.
During the ascent, the strap-on side boosters separated and performed picture-perfect landings at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The central core booster continued firing before falling away, leaving the second stage engine to take over and propel the rocket towards its Earth-escape trajectory. Six minutes later, the Psyche probe was released to begin its independent journey towards the asteroid.
Known as 16 Psyche, this metal-rich asteroid was discovered in 1852 and is three times farther from the sun than Earth. Measures approximately 173 miles across and 144 miles long, Psyche offers a unique opportunity to study the metal content found within celestial bodies.
The Psyche spacecraft, developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory using Maxar’s modified satellite body, carries a suite of advanced instruments to perform close-range observations during its 26-month mission. These instruments include multi-spectral cameras to map the surface, magnetometers to measure the magnetic field, a gamma-ray and neutron mass spectrometer to examine the asteroid’s chemical composition, and a radio science experiment to analyze its gravitational field.
Navigating through the outer asteroid belt, the Psyche probe will need nearly six years to reach its destination. After a gravity-assist flyby of Mars in 2026, the spacecraft will enter orbit around 16 Psyche in 2029.
To propel itself, the spacecraft will utilize solar electric propulsion, using ionized xenon atoms accelerated by Hall-effect thrusters. This innovative technology enables a gentle and continuous thrust, capable of building up speed over time. Unlike traditional rocket engines, Hall-effect thrusters consume fuel efficiently, resulting in a mileage of approximately 10 million miles per gallon.
During its journey, Psyche will also test deep space optical communications with the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment. This experiment aims to transmit data back to Earth at significantly higher rates using an infrared laser and telescope assembly. If successful, this groundbreaking technology could pave the way for future high-speed communication for human missions to Mars.
With the launch of the Psyche asteroid probe, NASA embarks on a pioneering mission to unravel the secrets of Earth’s formation and unlock the mysteries of our solar system.
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