NASA is embarking on a groundbreaking mission to a metal asteroid called 16 Psyche, located between Mars and Jupiter, in the hopes of uncovering precious diamonds and rubies. This mysterious asteroid will take seven years to reach, promising potential riches for the space agency.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed excitement about the possibility of discovering diamonds and rubies during a press conference and shared his optimism for the mission.
The spacecraft responsible for this journey is the Falcon Heavy, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Originally scheduled for today, the launch was delayed until Friday due to unfavorable weather conditions, according to NASA. The Kennedy Space Center in Florida will serve as the starting point for this 4-billion-mile adventure, with the spacecraft eventually landing in Utah upon its return to Earth.
In May 2026, the spacecraft will utilize Mars’ gravitational pull to propel itself towards 16 Psyche, as reported by The Telegraph. This maneuver will guide the spacecraft to the asteroid, where it will capture images and record topography during its 26-month orbit around the rock.
According to scientists, 16 Psyche likely shed its outer layer as a result of violent collisions that occurred billions of years ago, making it a fascinating subject of study. The rare metal richness of the asteroid and its potential as the “core of an early planetesimal” highlight its significance, as noted by NASA experts.
The underwater exploration of this metal asteroid will mark humanity’s first encounter with such an object. The mission aims to unravel the mysteries of our universe and expand our knowledge of celestial bodies.
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