Unlocking the Secrets of Psyche: NASA's Journey to a Metal World

We embark on a journey to explore Psyche, a metallic asteroid that provides a unique opportunity to peer into the fundamental elements of planet formation. NASA's Psyche mission is set to launch in 2023 and is scheduled to reach the Psyche asteroid, positioned between Mars and Jupiter, in 2026. The spacecraft, also named Psyche, will spend 21 months in orbit around the asteroid, meticulously mapping and examining its characteristics. Leading this mission is Principal Investigator Lindy Elkins-Tanton from Arizona State University. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is tasked with overseeing the mission's comprehensive management, system engineering, integration and testing, as well as mission operations. Maxar Technologies is contributing a high-powered solar electric propulsion spacecraft platform