Exploring a Metal World: NASA's Psyche Mission

In 2023, the NASA Psyche mission is set to embark on its journey and reach the asteroid Psyche, positioned in orbit between Mars and Jupiter, by 2026. The spacecraft, bearing the same name as the asteroid, will dedicate 21 months to circling around Psyche, conducting detailed mapping and comprehensive studies of its characteristics. The mission is under the guidance of Principal Investigator Lindy Elkins-Tanton from Arizona State University. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is overseeing the mission's overall management, system engineering, integration and testing, and mission operations. Maxar Technologies is contributing a high-power solar electric propulsion spacecraft chassis for the mission.