The Psyche spacecraft, equipped with four electric Hall effect thrusters, is en route to a unique metal-rich asteroid. Launched in October 2023, the mission utilizes the gravity of Mars next year for a slingshot into the asteroid belt, targeting arrival in August 2029. Despite a total mission cost exceeding $1.4 billion, many attributes of the asteroid remain unknown, making its exploration intriguing. The team anticipates unveiling the mysteries of Psyche, potentially broadening our understanding of metallic asteroids that hold significant scientific interest.
Each electric thruster on Psyche generates about 250 milli-newtons of thrust, but their efficiency over months makes them preferable to conventional rockets for long missions.
The Psyche spacecraft's journey involves using Mars' gravity for a slingshot into the asteroid belt, with arrival around the metal-rich asteroid Psyche set for August 2029.
With a mission cost exceeding $1.4 billion, the Psyche mission will explore a unique metallic asteroid, the size of Massachusetts, unlike any other encountered previously.
Scientists expect many surprises on approaching Psyche in 2029, as most of its physical characteristics remain unknown, aside from estimates of density and metal-rich composition.
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