NASA's Psyche mission to explore uncharted metallic terrain

NASA has finally given the green light to its highly anticipated Psyche deep-space mission.

[{"selector":"#anim-d638b5d7-50b0-4799-b6bc-113d4670ec44 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.120404279000166%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] With a budget of approximately $985 million, the mission aims to explore an asteroid named Psyche

[{"selector":"#anim-9235688c-b233-4af8-9b3e-5d713295cca3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.22242635664665%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] which is abundant in valuable metals. In fact, the asteroid's mineral wealth has been estimated to be worth an astonishing $10 quadrillion

[{"selector":"#anim-fc7db730-1d9f-44d6-aff9-f5d0baa333a5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.26378665101527%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The Psyche mission's launch window closed before the spacecraft's flight software was ready, causing a delay from the original 2022 target.

[{"selector":"#anim-291e4bfd-a1d6-4405-982d-d2fccdfd91e5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.26378665101527%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Psyche's launch, planned for October 2022 atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket

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[{"selector":"#anim-2a98805f-9a73-4ceb-a6ed-42239c7f153f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Psyche mission faced setbacks due to COVID-19 restrictions, staffing, communication, and management issues.

[{"selector":"#anim-6cf1e9d3-2ac2-4032-8277-a921600dff82 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] NASA's Science Mission Directorate and JPL conducted an independent review after the delay.

[{"selector":"#anim-8d1e15c8-ffb7-4f7e-8682-d452b932e9b1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The November review identified workforce issues at JPL as the primary cause of the delay.

[{"selector":"#anim-132bf29a-8afb-434e-8c02-8d6cf941aaba [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The Psyche mission team is confident in the October 2023 launch and expects a high probability of success.

[{"selector":"#anim-dfb8d43d-f634-4900-95f1-4ed6034e0e7f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.280438198098736%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Psyche is believed to be a shattered planetesimal, potentially a partial core, according to NASA officials