NASA’s Psyche is a planned robotic spacecraft mission currently under development by NASA to study the asteroid 16 Psyche, which is thought to be the exposed iron core of a protoplanet. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch in October 2023 and arrive at Psyche in January 2030.
Psyche is one of the most massive asteroids in the solar system, with a diameter of about 250 kilometers (155 miles). It is also one of the most metal-rich bodies known, with an estimated composition of 70% iron and 30% nickel. This makes it an ideal target for studying planetary formation and evolution.
The main scientific objectives of the mission are to characterize the size, shape, topography, geology, and elemental and mineralogical composition of Psyche. These data will help scientists understand how planets form and evolve over time. In addition, because Psyche appears to be very similar to Earth’s own iron core, the mission could provide valuable insights into our planet’s formation and evolution as well.
The Psyche spacecraft will be equipped with a suite of advanced imaging and spectroscopic instruments, including a high-resolution camera, infrared spectrometer, gamma-ray spectrometer, magnetometer, and radiometer. These instruments will allow scientists to mapPsyche’s surface in detail and analyze its composition at a variety of scales.