Colorful artistic depiction of the Psyche asteroid with textured surface and vibrant hues on a dark background

Psyche Inspired

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The sculpture is based on the outline of the spacecraft; each surface of the "satellite" becomes a canvas. Each piece has engraved images of the struggles endured by Psyche: the abandoning in the mountains, the secret life inside Cupid's palace, and finally the elevation. Such a stylistic touch is used intentionally, referring to the classical artistry of the Renaissance woodcut.
The first work represents the metal rubble pile theory with a monochromatic, slate-grey surface reminiscent of the exterior of the moon. A deep “wedge” is removed to reveal an interior made of a cluster of bulbous organic shapes.The second work features a vibrant orange center specifically highlighting the volcanism model, with molten metal center making up the bulk of Psyche’s core.
The first work represents the metal rubble pile theory with a monochromatic, slate-grey surface reminiscent of the exterior of the moon. A deep “wedge” is removed to reveal an interior made of a cluster of bulbous organic shapes.The second work features a vibrant orange center specifically highlighting the volcanism model, with molten metal center making up the bulk of Psyche’s core.
The sculpture is based on the outline of the spacecraft; each surface of the "satellite" becomes a canvas. Each piece has engraved images of the struggles endured by Psyche: the abandoning in the mountains, the secret life inside Cupid's palace, and finally the elevation. Such a stylistic touch is used intentionally, referring to the classical artistry of the Renaissance woodcut.
The sculpture is based on the outline of the spacecraft; each surface of the "satellite" becomes a canvas. Each piece has engraved images of the struggles endured by Psyche: the abandoning in the mountains, the secret life inside Cupid's palace, and finally the elevation. Such a stylistic touch is used intentionally, referring to the classical artistry of the Renaissance woodcut.
The sculpture is based on the outline of the spacecraft; each surface of the "satellite" becomes a canvas. Each piece has engraved images of the struggles endured by Psyche: the abandoning in the mountains, the secret life inside Cupid's palace, and finally the elevation. Such a stylistic touch is used intentionally, referring to the classical artistry of the Renaissance woodcut.
The sculpture is based on the outline of the spacecraft; each surface of the "satellite" becomes a canvas. Each piece has engraved images of the struggles endured by Psyche: the abandoning in the mountains, the secret life inside Cupid's palace, and finally the elevation. Such a stylistic touch is used intentionally, referring to the classical artistry of the Renaissance woodcut.
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The Organs of a Goddess

Minh Nguyen

April 17th, 2026

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Genre/Medium: 3D-Sculpting and Acrylic paint

About the Work:

The work “Organs of a Goddess” features two sculptures representing two different theories for the inside of Psyche. Each sculpture functions as a “biological” cross-section of a planet, using high-contrast textures and colors to represent the different internal planetary layers. The “organs” are revealed through a jagged cutaway. One sculpture specifically highlights the “exposed heart” theory, showing the iron-nickel clusters (represented by the lighter, bulbous forms) that scientists believe make up the bulk of Psyche.

These twin sculptures invite viewers to gaze into the impossible: the theoretical deep, beating heart of a planet. The works, rendered in metallic grey and vibrant orange, draw a direct line between the hidden center of our own planet, Earth, and Psyche. Read more…

View the Full Project

View the Works Meet the Interns Program Overview

Meet the Interns

Smiling person in a red sweater holding a large novelty mallet shaped like a peanut, with a building and flag in the background

Abhigyaan Deep

Institution: Iowa State University Major: Aerospace Engineering & Cyber-Physical Systems
Smiling person with short hair and star-shaped eyeliner design near the eye

Addison Mayhew

Institution: Rochester Institute of Technology Major: New Media Design
Person with long hair smiling at the beach, wearing a navy sweater with yellow text, under a partly cloudy sky

Anne Wang

Institution: Northwestern University Major: Economics & Art Theory & Practice
A person with long black hair and a blue shirt smiles softly, wearing a pearl necklace, indoors

Brianna Blanchard

Institution: University of Washington Major: Environmental Public Health
Smiling person with long hair, wearing earrings, in front of a coastal cityscape with turquoise water and buildings

Caitlin Richard

Institution: Arizona State University Major: Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology & Ecology) & Anthropology
Person with curly hair in a pinstripe vest and white shirt stands indoors, with a mirror and window in the background

Emerson Pappas

Institution: Creighton University Major: Chemistry & Studio Art
Smiling person in a floral dress sits outdoors at night under string lights and a red umbrella

Isabella Garcia

Institution: University of Michigan Major: Art & Design
Person with curly hair and a tattoo on their arm, wearing a green top, standing outdoors

Jacquelyn Sublett

Institution: University of North Carolina at Asheville Major: Ceramics & Physics
Person smiling by the ocean at sunset, wearing a black top, key-shaped earring, and septum ring

Julia Stephens

Institution: Florida State University Major: Studio Art & Creative Writing
Smiling person with long hair in a cream blazer against a light brown background

Lachan Morlan

Institution: University of Arkansas / Northwest Arkansas Community College Major: Physics, Astronomy Concentration
Person with short red hair, wearing a dark jacket, headband, hoop earrings, and a circular pendant necklace, smiling

Martha Quirie

Institution: University of Colorado Boulder Major: Art Practices & Psychology
Person smiling in snowy outdoor setting with yellow umbrellas and steps in the background

Minh Nguyen

Institution: Tulane University Major: Biomedical Engineering
Person with long dark hair wearing a green top, smiling against a gray background

Remy Cantrelle

Institution: Louisiana State University Major: Digital Art
Smiling person with long brown hair in a black blazer, standing in a stone archway. Psyche Inspired

Riley Perry

Institution: Washington University in St. Louis Major: Communication Design & Environmental Biology
Person with blonde hair in a red top stands outside, smiling, with trees and a house in the background

Samantha Manley

Institution: Ringling College of Art and Design Major: Illustration
Young man with glasses and tousled hair, wearing a green shirt, against a dark background

Tommy Desjardins

Institution: Rochester Institute of Technology Major: 3D Digital Design

Psyche Inspired Overview

Psyche Inspired is a program that brings undergraduate students from any discipline or major together to share the excitement, innovation, and scientific and engineering content of NASA’s Psyche mission with the public in new ways through artistic and creative works. These works are posted in the gallery above and highlighted on X, Facebook, and Instagram. View the full resolution images in the image gallery. This year’s Psyche Inspired cohort is known as the Platinum Class.

Psyche Inspired was piloted at ASU during the 2017-2018 academic year. The following academic year, Psyche Inspired expanded nationally! The works from each Psyche Inspired cohort are collected in individual downloadable books that tell the story of Psyche through musical scores, sculptures, painting, 3-D models, photography, acrylic art, needlepoint, stop-motion films, mixed media, and more.

Click here to view all the Psyche Inspired books

Psyche Inspired 2025-24 Psyche Inspired 2024-23 Psyche Inspired 2023-22 Psyche Inspired 2022-21 Psyche Inspired 2021-20 Psyche Inspired 2020-19 Psyche Inspired 2019-18 Psyche Inspired 2018-17