The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, carrying NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, has been transported to Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Scheduled for Tuesday, October 10, 2023, this mission aims to explore a metallic asteroid named Psyche, situated in an orbit between Mars and Jupiter. The spacecraft will also test NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications technology, an innovation in laser communications beyond lunar distance. Image courtesy: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani
The 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station has estimated that there is a 20% chance of meteorologically suitable conditions for the scheduled launch on Thursday. The main weather impediments include anvil clouds, cumulus clouds, and concerns related to surface electrical fields.
The liftoff of NASA’s Psyche spacecraft via SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A is slated for 10:16 a.m. EDT on Thursday, October 12. Launch opportunities for Psyche will be available until October 25.
The spacecraft, encapsulated for its journey, was moved from the Astrotech Space Operations Facility in Titusville to Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, October 6, 2023. Alongside Psyche, the mission will include a trailblazing technology experiment—NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) system. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
The Psyche mission is unprecedented in its goal to investigate an asteroid with a surface rich in metal, rather than rock or ice. The Launch Services Program at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center oversees the certification and management of the launch vehicle for the Psyche mission.
Ahead of the launch, a scientific briefing was held concerning NASA’s Psyche spacecraft and its mission to a unique metal-rich asteroid. The spacecraft will traverse approximately 2.2 billion miles (around 3.6 billion kilometers) over nearly six years to reach the asteroid Psyche. Scientists hypothesize that the asteroid may be a remnant core of a planetesimal composed mainly of iron-nickel metal. The aim is not to mine the ore, but to study it from orbit, potentially offering insights into the Earth’s core. Additionally, the DSOC experiment will be an active part of the mission for its first two years. Attribution: NASA/Chris Chamberland
Today, a scientific briefing was conducted that included representatives from NASA, Arizona State University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They discussed the forthcoming launch of the Psyche spacecraft and the DSOC experiment.
Involved participants were:
- Lori Glaze, Director of the Planetary Science Division, NASA Headquarters
- Lindy Elkins-Tanton, Principal Investigator for Psyche, Arizona State University
- Ben Weiss, Deputy Principal Investigator and Magnetometer Lead for Psyche, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- David Oh, Chief Engineer for Operations, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
- Abi Biswas, Project Technologist for Deep Space Optical Communications, JPL
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NASA’s Psyche Mission
What is the main objective of NASA’s Psyche Mission?
The main objective of NASA’s Psyche Mission is to explore a unique metal-rich asteroid named Psyche. The asteroid orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Scientists aim to study its composition to gain insights into the Earth’s core and the building blocks of planet formation.
What spacecraft and launch vehicle are involved in the Psyche Mission?
The mission will use NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, and the launch vehicle is SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket. The spacecraft will take off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
What additional technology does the Psyche spacecraft carry?
The Psyche spacecraft also carries NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology. This is an experiment that aims to test laser communications systems for operations beyond the Moon.
What is the likelihood of favorable weather conditions for the launch?
The 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station has forecasted a 20% chance of favorable weather conditions for the planned launch. The primary meteorological concerns are anvil clouds, cumulus clouds, and surface electrical fields.
Who are the key participants and organizations involved in the mission?
Key participants include Lori Glaze, the Director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters; Lindy Elkins-Tanton, the Principal Investigator for Psyche from Arizona State University; Ben Weiss, Deputy Principal Investigator and Magnetometer Lead from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; David Oh, Chief Engineer for Operations from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL); and Abi Biswas, Project Technologist for Deep Space Optical Communications from JPL.
How long will the mission last and how far will the spacecraft travel?
The Psyche spacecraft is expected to travel nearly six years and about 2.2 billion miles (approximately 3.6 billion kilometers) to reach its destination.
Are there any backup launch dates for the mission?
Yes, there are backup launch opportunities for the Psyche Mission through October 25.
Will the metal-rich asteroid Psyche be mined?
No, the ore will not be mined. The objective is to study the asteroid’s composition from orbit, which could provide valuable insights into what may make up Earth’s core.
What is the Launch Services Program’s role in the Psyche Mission?
The Launch Services Program at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is responsible for overseeing the certification and management of the launch vehicle used in the Psyche mission.
More about NASA’s Psyche Mission
- NASA’s Psyche Mission Overview
- SpaceX Falcon Heavy Launch Vehicle
- Deep Space Optical Communications
- NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
- 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Arizona State University Psyche Mission Collaboration
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Space Research
- NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Launch Services Program at NASA
8 comments
Wow, a metal-rich asteroid? That’s crazy, man. Can’t wait to see what NASA finds there.
2.2 billion miles… that’s a looong journey. Just how will they manage the tech for this?
So SpaceX is involved huh. Love it when private and public sectors work together for science.
lori Glaze and Lindy Elkins-Tanton? Two powerful women in science leading the way. Respect.
So they’re going to study the asteroid to understand Earth’s core? Mind = blown.
A 20% chance of favorable weather?! fingers crossed the launch goes well. This mission sounds epic.
Lasers in space for communication, finally the future’s here! But seriously, DSOC could be a game changer.
Wish the weather would cooperate, this mission’s too important for delays.