NASA ensures long-term health of Psyche spacecraft
NASA has announced that the team working on the Psyche spacecraft has adjusted the parameters for its nitrogen cold gas thrusters. The change was necessary due to warmer temperature predictions for the thrusters. These thrusters play a vital role in controlling the spacecraft’s orientation and momentum management, as well as supporting its science, power, and thermal demands.
Operating the thrusters within the temperature limits is deemed “essential” for their long-term health. The adjustment in parameters allows NASA to complete necessary verifications before the spacecraft embarks on its mission to study the asteroid Psyche, which is expected to take about 26 months.
Psyche mission eagerly anticipated by the team
The Psyche mission, which involves solar-electric propulsion and gravity-assisted maneuvering, has been eagerly anticipated by the team. The spacecraft will embark on a six-year journey to reach Psyche, where it will conduct intensive study of the asteroid’s composition and characteristics.
“These missions take so many people and so much meticulous, rigorous, personally driven work,” said Lindy Elkins-Tanton, principal investigator for Psyche at Arizona State University. “I am ready to be ecstatic. We all are, but we are not ecstatic yet. Let’s launch and establish communications – then we can scream, jump, and hug each other!”
About the Psyche asteroid
The asteroid Psyche is often referred to as the “Gold-mine asteroid” due to its rich metallic composition. It is classified as an m-type asteroid, which is the rarest type, representing only 8% of all known asteroids. Psyche has a diameter of approximately 140 miles and is believed to be the core of an early planet, hence its alternative name “16 Psyche” as the 16th minor planet discovered.
The launch window for the Psyche mission extends from October 12 to October 25, providing ample opportunities for a successful launch. The entire team is eagerly awaiting the moment when the spacecraft is finally set on its journey to unlock the secrets of the “Gold-mine asteroid.”
Fox News’ Bradford Betz contributed to this report.