NASA has finally announced that it will resume its mission to explore an intriguing and massive space rock hiding deep in the Asteroid Belt.
It is called 16 Psyche and comprises a full one percent of the mass of the Asteroid Belt. It is believed that it is the core of an archaic planet. However, Psyche’s size isn’t the only thing that makes it irresistible to scientists. Its metal-rich composition is the main reason if its attraction. It is speculated to be nurturing a wealth of iron, nickel, and gold worth an estimated $10 quintillion. They are not interested in the monetary value but in the possible planetary origins.
Originally, it was expected to launch in August 2022. However, it faced a flight software issue that led the space agency to miss its launch slot that closed on October 11.
“I’m extremely proud of the Psyche team,” said Laurie Leshin, director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in a statement. “During this review, they have demonstrated significant progress already made toward the future launch date. I am confident in the plan moving forward and excited by the unique and important science this mission will return.”
The expected arrival at the asteroid Psyche is set back by over three years — 2029 instead of 2026 — due to having to wait for another opportunity to slingshot off Mars’ gravity.
Once it arrives, the NASA spacecraft will orbit around the asteroid and test it with multiple instruments, including a multispectral imager, gamma ray, and neutron spectrometers, and a magnetometer, according to the agency.
At the end of the entire investigation, they will be able to tell if the asteroid is indeed the core of a nascent planet known as a planetesimal. If it is, valuable insight can be acquired from it about the interior of terrestrial planets like our own.