NASA’s Psyche Mission to Study the Heart of a Demolished Planet

NASA is preparing to launch a new mission to study 16 Psyche, an asteroid located between 235 million and 309 million miles away from Earth. This $985 million mission aims to determine whether the asteroid, which is believed to be made mostly of iron, formed in a similar way to Earth. The Psyche spacecraft is scheduled to lift off on October 5th, 2022, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Propulsion Technology: Ion Propulsion

The Psyche spacecraft will use futuristic electric propulsion technology known as ion propulsion. This technology involves using solar electrical power to generate electromagnetic fields for charged xenon gas. The electricity from the solar panels converts the xenon gas into xenon ions, which are then expelled to provide a very low thrust. The spacecraft will use four Hall-effect thrusters, with each engine running one at a time for two years.

Mission Goals and Research

The primary goal of the Psyche mission is to understand how planets like Earth could have formed through countless collisions and debris accumulation over time. Scientists hope to gather topographical and chemical composition data from the asteroid to look for evidence of a magnetic field, which could validate scientific hypotheses about the birth of the solar system. The mission also aims to determine the size of the asteroid and study its topography, gravity, and chemical composition.

Importance of the Psyche Mission

The Psyche mission has significant implications for understanding the formation of habitable planets. Lindy Elkins-Tanton, the principal investigator of the Psyche mission, explains that studying Psyche will provide insights into the original material that eventually formed Earth. Comparing the composition of Psyche with that of Earth can shed light on the process that led to the formation of our planet and other habitable worlds.

Technological Advancements: Deep Space Optical Communications

The Psyche mission will also test advanced laser-based communications techniques with an experiment called Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC). This technology will enable faster and more efficient communication during future human exploration missions to Mars and beyond. By using laser beams for communication, NASA aims to achieve a virtual presence in outer space, enhancing our ability to explore and understand the universe.

In conclusion, NASA’s Psyche mission represents an exciting endeavor to study the heart of a demolished planet. By investigating the asteroid 16 Psyche, scientists hope to gain insights into the formation of planets like Earth and the conditions necessary for habitability. The mission will utilize innovative propulsion technology and test advanced communication techniques, further advancing our understanding of the solar system and paving the way for future space exploration.

Takeaways:

The Psyche mission aims to study the asteroid 16 Psyche, which is believed to be made mostly of iron and could provide insights into the formation of Earth-like planets.
The spacecraft will use ion propulsion technology, which involves using solar electrical power to generate electromagnetic fields for charged xenon gas.
The mission goals include gathering data on the asteroid’s topography, chemical composition, and evidence of a magnetic field.
Studying Psyche’s composition can help validate scientific hypotheses about the birth of the solar system and the process of planet formation.
The mission will also test advanced laser-based communication techniques, which will be crucial for future human exploration missions to Mars and beyond.