NASA is preparing to launch the Psyche asteroid mission spacecraft on a mission to study an asteroid called 16 Psyche.
The Psyche asteroid mission aims to probe is believed to be very metal-rich and may be the leftover iron core of a planet.
By studying this asteroid, scientists hope to gain insight into Earth’s own core. Before the Psyche asteroid mission begins, scientists are using infrared instruments like the JWST and the SOFIA to study the asteroid.
These instruments reveal hidden aspects of the universe and have provided some initial findings about 16 Psyche. The data suggests that the asteroid is predominantly made of metal and does not show much variation with rotation.
The JWST and the SOFIA have reached the limit of what they can observe about the 16 Psyche, which highlights the need for the Psyche asteroid mission.
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The Psyche asteroid mission will carry out extensive studies of the asteroid’s composition, surface, and magnetic field to learn more about this unique planetary body.
According to Fox News, the launch of NASA’s Psyche asteroid mission has been delayed due to the need to adjust the parameters of the spacecraft’s thrusters.
The launch Psyche asteroid mission is now scheduled on October 12th at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The adjustments on the Psyche asteroid mission spacecraft are necessary to ensure that the thrusters operate within temperature limits for their long-term health, Fox News added.