Psyche Spacecraft

Psyche Spacecraft Latest News

Recently, NASA’s Psyche spacecraft captured a stunning crescent image of Mars from nearly 5 million kilometres away.

About Psyche Spacecraft

• It was launched on October 13, 2023 by NASA.
• It is on a mission to reach the metal-rich asteroid also named Psyche.
• Asteroid Psyche’s gravity will capture the spacecraft in late July 2029, and Psyche will begin its prime mission in August.
• It will spend about two years orbiting the asteroid to take pictures, map the surface, and collect data to determine Psyche’s composition. 

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Features of Psyche Spacecraft

• The body of the Psyche spacecraft is about the size of a small van.
• It uses a solar-electric propulsion system powered by xenon gas, slowly gaining speed over time as it travels through space.
• Scientific Instruments of Psyche Spacecraft
  • Magnetometer: It will look for evidence of an ancient magnetic field at the asteroid Psyche.
  • Gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer: It will help scientists determine the chemical elements that make up the asteroid’s surface material. 
  • Multispectral Imager: It consists of a pair of identical cameras equipped with filters and telescopic lenses to photograph the surface of the asteroid in different wavelengths of light.

Source: IT