NASA's Psyche mission launches on SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to explore the heart of a planet
On October 13, 2023, NASA's Psyche mission launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission is headed to Psyche, the largest metal asteroid in our solar system. Psyche is thought to be the core of a protoplanet that was stripped of its rocky mantle early in the solar system's history. The mission will study Psyche's composition and structure to learn more about how planets form.
Psyche is a unique asteroid, and scientists are eager to learn more about it. It is the only known asteroid that is thought to be made mostly of metal, and it is also one of the largest asteroids, with a diameter of about 140 miles. Psyche is located in the asteroid belt, a region of space between Mars and Jupiter that is populated by millions of asteroids.
The Psyche spacecraft will travel for about four years to reach Psyche. Once it arrives, the spacecraft will orbit the asteroid for two years, studying its surface and gravity field. Psyche will also use its instruments to map Psyche's magnetic field and measure its composition.
The Psyche mission is expected to provide new insights into the formation of planetary cores and the early history of the solar system. The mission could also help scientists to better understand the formation of metal-rich asteroids, which are thought to be common in other solar systems.
The Psyche mission is a partnership between NASA and Arizona State University. The mission is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
The Psyche mission is a new and exciting exploration of our solar system. The mission is expected to provide new insights into the formation of planets and the early history of our solar system.