NASA’s Psyche spacecraft embarked on a thrilling journey on Friday, as it blasted off on a six-year mission to explore a rare metal-covered asteroid. While most asteroids are made of rock or ice, this particular mission marks the first exploration of a metal world. Scientists believe that the asteroid, named Psyche, may be the remnants of an early planet’s core, and by studying it, they hope to gain insight into the inaccessible centers of Earth and other rocky planets. The spacecraft was launched by SpaceX from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center amidst an overcast midmorning sky, with the aim to reach the massive, potato-shaped object in 2029, according to the AP. “It’s so thrilling,” said Laurie Leshin, director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Jim Bell, part of the Psyche team at Arizona State University, added, “What a great ride so far.”
About an hour later, the spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket’s upper stage and glided away, eliciting applause from ground controllers. After decades of exploring distant worlds made of rock, ice, and gas, NASA is excited to investigate one that is cloaked in a layer of metal. Psyche, the largest of the approximately nine metal-rich asteroids discovered, is located in the outer region of the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, where it orbits the sun alongside millions of other celestial bodies. It was first identified in 1852 and was named after the captivating goddess of the soul from Greek mythology. “Humans have always dreamed of reaching the metal core of our Earth. I mean, just ask Jules Verne,” said Lindy Elkins-Tanton, the lead scientist from Arizona State University, prior to the launch.
“The pressure and temperature at Earth’s core are too high, and the technology required is currently impossible,” she explained. “However, there is one place in our solar system where we can examine a metal core, and that is by exploring this asteroid.” Scientists have determined that the asteroid is quite large, measuring approximately 144 miles across at its widest point and 173 miles long. It is believed to be abundant in metals such as iron and nickel, and potentially silicates as well. Its predominantly gray surface is likely covered in fine metal grains resulting from cosmic impacts, as reported by the AP. Until the spacecraft reaches the asteroid after traveling over 2 billion miles, it remains a mysterious speck of light in the night sky. (Read more space exploration stories.)
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