NASA Psyche Mission: Charting a Metallic World

Through this artistic representation, we embark on a journey to explore the enigmatic metallic realm known as Psyche, an asteroid that promises unique insights into the fundamental components of planetary formation. Scheduled for a 2023 launch, NASA's Psyche mission is set to rendezvous with the asteroid Psyche, situated within the solar orbit between Mars and Jupiter, in 2026. The spacecraft, aptly named Psyche, will dedicate 21 months to closely orbiting the asteroid, meticulously mapping its terrain and delving into its intrinsic characteristics. Spearheaded by Principal Investigator Lindy Elkins-Tanton from Arizona State University, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory assumes responsibility for overseeing the mission's comprehensive management, system engineering, integration and testing, and mission operations. Maxar Technologies, on the other hand, contributes a high-power solar electric propulsion spacecraft chassis to facilitate this remarkable scientific endeavor.