Hi everybody, and welcome back to the show.
Today we're going to be talking about a very compelling SpaceX
and NASA mission that aims to explore an asteroid called
Psyche. How This asteroid isn't just any
old space rock, though it's largely metallic and resembles
the Earth score. And with the launch slated as
soon as this Thursday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in
Florida, the Psyche mission is expected to open new Frontiers
and our understanding of planetary formation.
I will be covering various aspects of this mission, from
the spacecraft's journey to why this particular asteroid is so
vital for scientific research. And you can also check out the
live stream on Thursday morning at 9:00 AM Eastern Time on our
YouTube channel at Space News Pod.
Now the idea for exploring an asteroid may seem very
futuristic, but the future is very close.
NASA's Psyche mission has been in the works for quite some time
with a year long delay, throwing a small wrench into the planning
of this mission. And nevertheless, the spacecraft
named after the asteroid it aims to explore is prepped and almost
ready for its expedition. And the launch vehicle for this
mission, SpaceX, is triple core Falcon Heavy rocket, which will
propel the spacecraft on a six year, 2.2 billion mile journey.
This is not just another mission, though, it's a first in
many ways. Notably, it's the first time
NASA is targeting an asteroid that isn't primarily rock or
ice, and instead Psyche consists mostly of metal.
And the mission could offer insights into the cores of
terrestrial planets, including our own Earth.
That's a scientific jackpot, considering that the Earth's
core remains inaccessible for direct study.
Now the countdown is on and the launch window is narrowing, and
the Psyche mission has launched opportunities every day between
October 12th and October 25th with a 20% chance of favorable
weather conditions. NASA and SpaceX attorney October
12th at precisely 10:16 AM Eastern Time for this much
awaited liftoff. So what makes Psyche so special?
Located about three times farther from the Sun than Earth,
this asteroid could harbor secrets that shed light onto the
core structure of terrestrial planets.
Named after a Greek goddess, Psyche has fascinated scientists
because of its uniqueness in the asteroid belt between Mars and
Jupiter. And planetary formation is a
very chaotic process, and Psyche could be the exposed core of a
planet that never got the chance to form completely.
Scientists theorize that it is composed mainly of nickel iron,
which makes it different from other celestial bodies like
Mars, Venus, and Earth that are abundant in iron oxides.
And unlike these planets, Psyche doesn't appear to have much in
the way of iron oxides, suggesting a different kind of
planetary formation history. It's a 140 mile wide chunk of
metal and rock, potentially offering a glimpse into the
early solar system and the chaotic processes that go on in
the formation of planets. Now when it comes to the Psyche
spacecraft, the adage good things come in small packages is
fitting though the spacecraft could cover the surface of a
standard tennis court when it's solar razor deployed.
What's inside is a compact treasure trove of scientific
equipment designed to unlock the mysteries of this asteroid,
Psyche and possibly of our solar system.
But let's not forget the spacecraft itself is a marvel of
modern engineering. Equipped to survive six year
long journey to the vacuum space to reach its distant target, the
first piece of equipment we should talk about is a
magnetometer. This is not just a
run-of-the-mill instrument, it's a specialized equipment to
detect ancient magnetic fields. If Psyche does turn out to be
the core of a long disintegrated planet, then traces of a
magnetic field could provide game changing insights into
planetary science. The magnetometer will scour the
asteroid for such traces, potentially helping us
understand the magnetic properties of celestial bodies
that never really got the chance to become fully fledged planets.
Now. Then there's the Gamma Ray and
neutron spectrometer, another critical device on board.
Its role is to perform a kind of elemental analysis of the
asteroid. By detecting gamma rays and
neutrons, this instrument can help us understand the chemical
elements that make up Psyche, effectively deciphering its
composition. This can answer questions like
whether the asteroid is nickel or iron or other metals, and by
extension shed light on the elements that make up planetary
cores. Now, last but not least, a
multispectral imager. This will capture detailed
images of Psyche, but it goes far beyond simple photography.
The imager will capture data across various wavelengths,
allowing scientists to assess the mineral composition and
topography of the asteroid intended with the other
instruments. This imager completes a holistic
tool kit for space exploration. Additionally, the Deep Space
Orbital Communication System will experiment with long range
laser communications technology, a pioneering step that could set
the stage for future deep space missions.
Now the mission timeline spans almost six years and covers an
enormous distance. The spacecraft will use a solar
electric propulsion system and get a gravity assist from Mars
on its way, and upon arrival in 2029, it will spend around 26
months studying the asteroid. The spacecraft is expected to
begin transmitting images to Earth as soon as it detects the
asteroid, allowing us a visual treat along with scientific
data. Delays have plagued this
mission, with the original launch date in August of 2022
being pushed back. The reasons include software
issues and operational challenges, and to tackle these,
NASA added more team members and even revised as Hybrid Work
policy to increase onsite collaboration.
And all the hard work seems to be paying off at NASA, SpaceX
and the Psyche. Mission managers recently
conducted a Flight Readiness Review certifying the mission
for final launch preparations. And with last minute simulations
and fine tuning, the spacecraft appears set for its
groundbreaking journey to explore the metal rich asteroid.
The launch window has been adjusted to be between October
12th and October 25th, giving the teams more time to complete
flight ready checks and ensure everything is in order.
We're now closer than ever to uncovering the secrets that
could redefine our understanding of planetary cores in the
formation of rocky planets like Earth and also our solar system.
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