NASA’s Expedition to Psyche: The Energy Behind the 4 Billion-Kilometer Voyage

On July 25, one of the two solar arrays connected to NASA’s Psyche spacecraft began to be withdrawn by technicians within the Astrotech Space Operations facility, located near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image: NASA/Kim Shiflett

NASA’s mission to Psyche is quickly approaching its launch date of October 5, working through its final launch preparation phases.

The jumbo solar arrays of the Psyche spacecraft were robotically unfolded and enduringly affixed to the orbiter in a sanitized environment near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. These arrays have been readied for the spacecraft’s massive 4 billion-kilometer trip to analyze a metallic asteroid, with the launch window commencing on October 5.

Upon completing a triumphant deployment trial, the orbiter’s dual wings were packed again, to be securely kept until departure from Earth. Psyche is projected to reach its target—a mysterious asteroid called Psyche, situated in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter—in July 2029. Upon arrival, the spacecraft will circle the asteroid at fluctuating heights for 26 months, seizing pictures and accumulating diverse data.

The Psyche mission, aimed at a faraway metallic asteroid, includes a groundbreaking Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) apparatus. Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Gaining Insight into Planets through Psyche

Researchers surmise that examining the asteroid, potentially a segment of a planetesimal core (a fundamental part of a planet), will furnish information about the core of planets and the formation of Earth itself.

The definitive installation of the solar arrays was conducted at Astrotech Space Operations, close to Kennedy. These arrays were deployed for testing the previous year at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. Spanning 800 square feet (75 square meters), the five-panel, cross-shaped arrays are the largest ever utilized at JPL. When unfolded in flight, the spacecraft’s size will resemble a singles tennis court.

Fueling the Voyage

Though capable of generating over 20 kilowatts of power when near Earth, the solar arrays are essentially created to operate in deep space’s dim light. The distance of asteroid Psyche from the Sun means that even these substantial arrays will produce slightly over 2 kilowatts at that range.

Inside the Astrotech Space Operations facility, close to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, team members prepared to incorporate one of the two solar arrays to NASA’s Psyche spacecraft on July 24. Image: NASA/Kim Shiflett

This power is only marginally greater than what a hairdryer consumes but is sufficient for Psyche’s electrical demands, including powering scientific instruments, telecommunications, temperature regulation equipment, and the highly efficient solar electric propulsion engines. These engines utilize electromagnetic fields to accelerate and expel charged xenon atoms, causing a blue glow and creating thrust to propel Psyche through space.

Thrust and Loading of Xenon

The exerted thrust is so gentle that it’s equivalent to holding a single AA battery in your hand, yet it suffices to speed up Psyche through the cosmos. Without atmospheric resistance, the spacecraft will reach velocities up to 124,000 mph (200,000 kph) relative to Earth on its journey to the asteroid belt.

In mid-August, a team is planned to commence loading all 2,392 pounds (1,085 kilograms) of xenon onto the spacecraft over several weeks.

Launch Strategy

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy is pinpointed to lift off Psyche from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A at 10:38 a.m. EDT (7:38 a.m. PDT) on October 5, with more chances available until October 25.

Mission Details

Arizona State University is leading the Psyche mission, while a Caltech division in Pasadena and JPL are responsible for the mission’s broad management, system engineering, integration, testing, and operational functions. Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, California, supplied the spacecraft’s high-power solar electric propulsion frame.

JPL is also contributing a technology demonstration device, Deep Space Optical Communications, to examine laser communication with high data rates, which might be utilized in future NASA expeditions.

The Psyche expedition marks the 14th selection within NASA’s Discovery Program, supervised by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The launch services are managed by the Kennedy Space Center-based Launch Services Program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Psyche mission

More about Psyche mission

• NASA’s Psyche Mission
• Kennedy Space Center
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
• SpaceX Falcon Heavy
• Arizona State University
• Caltech
• Maxar Technologies