NASAs Psyche spacecraft hits a speed bump on the way to a metal asteroid

Published: Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 3:18 am

NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Faces Propulsion Challenge on Journey to Metal Asteroid

NASA's ambitious Psyche mission, launched in October 2023, is facing a minor setback as it embarks on its six-year journey to a unique metal asteroid also named Psyche. The spacecraft, propelled by four electric Hall effect thrusters, is currently navigating the vast expanse of space, but these thrusters, while efficient, are proving to be a bit of a slow burn.

Each thruster generates a mere 250 milli-newtons of thrust – roughly the weight of three quarters. However, their ability to operate for months at a time makes them a more fuel-efficient option compared to traditional rockets for this long-duration mission. The thrusters, supplied by a Russian company, are crucial for reshaping Psyche's trajectory. The spacecraft is currently en route to Mars, where it will utilize the planet's gravity in 2025 for a slingshot maneuver, propelling it towards the asteroid belt. The ultimate goal is to arrive and orbit the metal asteroid Psyche in August 2029.

The Psyche mission, costing over $1.4 billion, is a bold endeavor to explore a celestial body unlike any other. The asteroid Psyche, located between Mars and Jupiter, is roughly the size of Massachusetts and is believed to be rich in metal. Scientists are eager to study this metallic world, as it's one of only nine known asteroids with such a composition. The mission aims to unravel the mysteries of this unique asteroid, providing valuable data to replace current speculation with concrete scientific findings. The team is particularly interested in learning about the asteroid's surface features, which are currently only imagined through artistic renderings.

Keywords: Psyche spacecraft, metal asteroid, NASA, Hall effect thrusters, electric propulsion, asteroid belt, SpaceX Falcon Heavy, Mars gravity assist, asteroid Psyche, space mission, deep space, metallic asteroid, asteroid exploration, space travel, 2029, Fakel, Maxar Space Systems

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