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This artist's conception shows a close-up of the Psyche asteroid. Image Credit: Peter Rubin
Regions of Iron-Nickel Metal and Olivine: Psyche Asteroid Illustration ...This illustration depicts the 140-mile-wide (226-kilometer-wide) asteroid Psyche, which lies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Psyche... 02-05-2018
This artist's conception shows the Psyche asteroid.
Hypothesized Surface Features: Psyche Asteroid Illustration ...This illustration depicts the 140-mile-wide (226-kilometer-wide) asteroid Psyche, which lies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Psyche... 10-16-2018
An illustration depicting the target of NASA’s Psyche mission: the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Small-Scale Mix of Rock and Metal: Psyche Asteroid Illustration ...This illustration depicts the 140-mile-wide (226-kilometer-wide) asteroid Psyche, which lies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Psyche... 03-29-2021
Large Regions of Rock and Metal: Psyche Asteroid Illustration ...This illustration depicts the 140-mile-wide (226-kilometer-wide) asteroid Psyche, which lies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Psyche... 03-29-2021
Thumbnail illustration showing asteroid and spacecraft and Earth with a radio antenna
Using Gravity to Study an Asteroid ...NASA’s Psyche mission will use gravity to study the interior structure of its asteroid target, also named Psyche. By measuring subtle changes in the... 09-28-2023
NASA’s Psyche Mission to a Metal-Rich Asteroid (Teaser Trailer) ...There are millions of asteroids in our solar system, so why is NASA going to the asteroid Psyche? Scientists think this particular asteroid, which orbits... 10-05-2023
Orbiting Asteroid Psyche (Illustration) ...This illustration shows how NASA’s Psyche spacecraft will explore the asteroid Psyche, beginning with Orbit A when it arrives at the asteroid... 12-20-2021
psyche arrival graph
Psyche Mission Timeline Image ...NASA’s Psyche spacecraft takes a spiral path to the asteroid Psyche, as depicted in this graphic that shows the path from above the plane of the... 09-11-2023
Psyche Asteroid Rotation Animation ...the size of a poppy seed! Psyche’s location in the solar system. Psyche is out in the outer asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter—more than three... 01-30-2025
Psyche Launches to a Metal Asteroid (Official NASA Broadcast) ...(1419 UTC) Friday, Oct. 13. The mission to Psyche will take us on a journey to a metal-rich asteroid. During this mission we will be researching the... 10-13-2023
Mission to Psyche: One Year Into the Spacecraft’s Journey to a Metal-Rich Asteroid ...One year after a successful launch on Oct. 13, 2023, team members on the Psyche mission to the metal-rich asteroid of the same name reflect on launch... 10-29-2024
Thumbnail showing the illustration of the asteroid and spacecraft and the words Psyche #MissionToPsyche
NASA’s Psyche Mission to an Asteroid: Official NASA Trailer ...Join the journey as NASA’s Psyche mission team prepares for a targeted Oct. 5, 2023, launch to explore a unique metallic asteroid orbiting the sun... 07-18-2023
This artist's conception shows the Psyche spacecraft against a starry background orbiting above the heavily cratered surface of the Psyche asteroid.
Artist’s Conception of Psyche spacecraft at Psyche asteroid ...This artist’s conception shows the Psyche spacecraft near the surface of the Psyche asteroid.... 01-10-2018
Meet NASA’s Psyche Team Who Will Measure the Asteroid’s Magnetic Field ...NASA’s Psyche team will measure the asteroid’s magnetic field using a magnetometer. This instrument is composed of two identical high-sensitivity... 06-30-2021
Thumbnail illustration showing asteroid and spacecraft.
Imaging a Metal World ...NASA’s Psyche spacecraft will use highly sensitive cameras to allow scientists to see a metal-rich asteroid that’s never been imaged up close before.... 09-28-2023
Large painted 3-D model of the Psyche Asteroid
3D-Printed Psyche Asteroid Models Large painted 3-D model of the Psyche Asteroid 12-02-2017
Large painted 3-D model of the Psyche Asteroid
3D-Printed Psyche Asteroid Model Painted 3-D model of the Psyche Asteroid 12-02-2017
Psyche Mission Launches From Kennedy Space Center (Highlights) ...Highlights from the Oct. 13, 2023, launch of NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, which will travel 2.2 billion miles to a metal-rich asteroid in the main asteroid... 10-13-2023
Psyche Spacecraft (Artist’s Concept) ...This artist’s concept, updated as of June 2020, depicts NASA’s Psyche spacecraft. Set to launch in August 2022, the Psyche mission will... 07-14-2020
An illustration, created in March 2021, of NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, which is targeted to launch to the main asteroid belt in August 2022 to investigate the metal-rich asteroid Psyche.
Psyche Spacecraft Illustration ...This illustration, updated as of March 2021, depicts NASA’s Psyche spacecraft. Set to launch in August 2022, the Psyche mission will explore a... 03-29-2021
Psyche Power System Engineer Ben Inouye – Behind the Spacecraft
Psyche Power System Engineer Ben Inouye – Behind the Spacecraft ...Meet Ben Inouye, a power system engineer on NASA’s Psyche mission, which will be the first to explore a metal-rich asteroid, also named Psyche. In... 09-07-2023
Psyche Electrical Engineer Luis Dominguez – Behind the Spacecraft ...Meet Luis Dominguez, an engineer on NASA’s Psyche mission, which will be the first to explore a metal-rich asteroid, also named Psyche. In this video,... 09-21-2023
Is NASA Mining Asteroids? We Asked a NASA Expert ...asteroid to study what appears to be the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet, one of the building blocks of our solar system. However, the science... 06-28-2023
panoramic view of JPL's High Bay 2 area showing the bus (body) of the spacecraft and some engineers
Spacecraft in Integration & Test ...an asteroid of the same name in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Scientists believe asteroid Psyche, which is about 140 miles (226 kilometers)... 08-24-2021
orbital operations graph
Psyche Orbital Operations ...NASA’s Psyche spacecraft will gather science at the asteroid Psyche at four orbit altitudes, as depicted in this graphic. It has been updated... 09-11-2023
NASA Psyche Mission: Charting a Metallic World ...In this artist’s rendition, we explore a metallic world named Psyche, an asteroid that offers a unique window into the building blocks of planet formation.... 09-08-2021
psyche team
New Video Series Reveals What Drives NASA’s Psyche Mission Team ...These short videos offer glimpses of the people who’ve helped make this upcoming journey to a metal-rich asteroid possible What motivates someone... 08-21-2023
Psyche Solar Electric Propulsion Engineer Julie Li – Behind the Spacecraft ...Join us LIVE as we chat with Julie Li, an engineer on NASA’s Psyche mission, which will be the first to explore a metal-rich asteroid. Li, of Maxar... 09-13-2023
A technician prepares to integrate part of the electric propulsion system onto the main body of NASA's Psyche spacecraft at Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, California.
Psyche in Progress ...to launch in August 2022, Psyche’s will explore a metal-rich asteroid of the same name that lies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.... 07-14-2020
This image is of the main body of the spacecraft (the bus) in a factory space surrounded by engineers.
Psyche Spacecraft ...belt. Psyche will arrive at the metal-rich asteroid of the same name in 2026, orbiting for 21 months to investigate its composition. Scientists think... 03-29-2021
This image is a closeup underside view of the main body of the spacecraft (the bus) with a engineers nearby inspecting hardware.
Psyche Spacecraft ...Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, for an August 2022 launch to the main asteroid belt. Psyche will arrive at the metal-rich asteroid of the same name... 03-29-2021
This image is of the main body of the spacecraft (the bus) in a factory space surrounded by engineers.
Psyche Spacecraft ...rigorous checkout and testing before being shipped to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, for an August 2022 launch to the main... 03-29-2021
Psyche Liftoff ...2023. The Psyche mission will study a metal-rich asteroid with the same name, located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. This is NASA’s... 11-02-2023
Join the Psyche team to explore why this mission was selected for NASA’s Discovery Program, how we’ll get to the asteroid, what we hope to learn from Psyche, and the importance of scientific discovery.
Psyche: Join the Journey to a Metal World ...Join the Psyche team to explore why this mission was selected for NASA’s Discovery Program, how we’ll get to the asteroid, what we hope to learn... 04-03-2018
At the top of the image it says "Psyche - Journey to a Metal World" and below are two planets colliding.
ASU KEDtalk: Psyche – Journey to a Metal World ...world who has an asteroid named after her (Google Asteroid 8252 Elkins-Tanton). Why should we explore space? What does science need to make real progress?... 12-03-2017
NASA’s Psyche Gets Its Huge Solar Arrays Permanently Installed ...in Florida. Psyche is preparing for a 2.5 billion-mile (4 billion-kilometer) solar-powered trip to the metal-rich asteroid of the same name. In a clean... 08-03-2023
christina hernandez
Psyche Flight Systems Engineer Christina Hernandez – Behind the Spacecraft ...Meet Christina Hernandez, a flight systems engineer on NASA’s Psyche mission, which will be the first to explore a metal-rich asteroid, also named... 08-22-2023
woman with testing devices
Psyche Power Electronics Engineer Meena Sreekantamurthy – Behind the Spacecraft ...Meet Meena Sreekantamurthy, a power electronics engineer on NASA’s Psyche mission, which will be the first to explore a metal-rich asteroid, also... 08-30-2023
#MissionToPsyche: The Science Behind the Psyche Spacecraft (News Briefing) ...The Psyche spacecraft will journey 2.2 billion miles to an asteroid that scientists hypothesize is made of substantial amounts of metal. It may contain... 10-12-2023
This artist's conception shows a close-up of the heavily cratered surface of the Psyche asteroid.
Psyche Close-up ...This artist’s conception shows a close-up of the surface of the Psyche asteroid.... 01-10-2018
Scientist in a lab wearing masks while holding their thumbs up.
Thumbs-up for Ion Propulsion ...Psyche engineers adapted to COVID-19 social distancing and masking requirements while testing the Hall thrusters that will propel NASA’s Psyche... 07-14-2020
NASA’s Psyche: Picking up Launch Prep for 2023 ...a metal-rich asteroid, also named Psyche, that lies in the main asteroid belt. The silver-colored cylinder shown in the photo is the sunshade for DSOC,... 01-24-2023
Psyche Mission: Co-Investigator Dr. Tim McCoy ...metallic asteroid and what it may be able to tell us about the formation of the solar system and our own planet. It’s the journey of a lifetime, and... 01-26-2020
NASA Psyche Online Courses ...While the spacecraft and instruments of the NASA Psyche Mission are being designed and built in preparation for launch to the Psyche asteroid in 2022,... 01-25-2020
Psyche Spacecraft Chassis Arrival at JPL ...A spacecraft’s journey doesn’t begin on the launchpad. Our Psyche spacecraft will explore an asteroid, but first we have to finish building it.... 03-29-2021
Thumbnail image showing the Psyche spacecraft communicating with Earth via the Deep Space Optical Communications laser.
Testing Space Lasers for Deep Space Optical Communications ...six-year journey to the metal-rich asteroid of the same name. During its demonstration period, DSOC will not be transmitting Psyche data, but rather... 09-28-2023
Psyche: A Heavy Metal Tribute to #MissionToPsyche ...Psyche Inspired undergraduate interns (https://psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu/galleries/artwork/). From the Artist When I heard about a NASA mission to a heavy... 09-29-2023
Engineers at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, make progress on the spectrometer for NASA's Psyche spacecraft, while observing COVID-19 safety procedures.
Psyche’s Spectrometer ...Sam Fix work on the Gamma-Ray/Neutron Spectrometer (GRNS) instrument that will launch aboard the Psyche spacecraft in 2022 to detect, measure and map... 07-14-2020
Image showing the neutron spectrometer component of the GRNS instrument. It has a series of tubes on a metal stand.
Psyche Neutron Spectrometer The Psyche neutron spectrometer uses three cylinders filled with a gas of helium-3, an isotope of helium that will rapidly grab free neutrons emitted by... 09-02-2021
Image showing the gamma-ray spectrometer component of the GRNS instrument. It has a large central cannister with many wires and cables on a metal stand.
Psyche Gamma-Ray Spectrometer The Psyche gamma-ray spectrometer uses a high-purified germanium crystal to capture gamma rays emitted by asteroid Psyche. These gamma rays can reveal... 09-02-2021
Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California prepare to integrate four Hall thrusters (beneath red protective covers) into the agency's Psyche spacecraft in July 2021.
Preparing Psyche’s Thruster Installation ...set to launch in August 2022 and will travel to its target, a metal-rich asteroid also named Psyche, under the power of solar electric propulsion. This... 09-20-2021
Engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California work to integrate Hall thrusters into the agency's Psyche spacecraft in this July 2021 photo. One of the thrusters is visible on the side of the spacecraft beneath a red protective cover. Psyche is set to launch in August 2022 and will travel to its target, a metal-rich asteroid also named Psyche, under the power of solar electric propulsion. This super-efficient mode of propulsion uses solar arrays to capture sunlight that is converted into electricity to power the spacecraft's Hall thrusters. They work by turning xenon gas, a neutral gas used in car headlights and plasma TVs, into xenon ions. As the xenon ions are accelerated out of the thruster, they create the thrust that will propel the spacecraft. This will be the first use of Hall thrusters beyond lunar orbit, demonstrating that they could play a role in supporting future deep space missions. Arizona State University in Tempe leads the Psyche mission. JPL is responsible for the mission's overall management, system engineering, integration and test, and mission operations. Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, California, supplied the thrusters and built the high-power solar electric propulsion spacecraft chassis. For more information about NASA's Psyche mission, go to: http://www.nasa.gov/psyche or https://psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu/
Psyche’s Thruster Integration Underway ...visible on the side of the spacecraft beneath a red protective cover. Psyche is set to launch in August 2022 and will travel to its target, a metal-rich... 09-20-2021
Two thrusters are visible beneath red round protective covers, after being integrated into the spacecraft.
Psyche Thrusters: Integration Complete ...in August 2022, the spacecraft will use four Hall thrusters to propel itself to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, using solar electric propulsion. Two... 09-20-2021
NASA’s Psyche Spacecraft Mate to Payload Attach Fitting (PAF) ...billion kilometers) to an asteroid of the same name, which is orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Scientists believe Psyche could be part of... 09-25-2023
NASA’s Psyche Spacecraft Mate to Payload Attach Fitting (PAF) ...billion kilometers) to an asteroid of the same name, which is orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. Scientists believe Psyche could be part of... 09-25-2023
Psyche Encapsulation ...Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Next, the spacecraft will move to SpaceX facilities at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Bound for a metal-rich asteroid of the... 10-11-2023
Psyche Encapsulation ...Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Next, the spacecraft will move to SpaceX facilities at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Bound for a metal-rich asteroid of the... 10-11-2023
Psyche Encapsulation ...Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Next, the spacecraft will move to SpaceX facilities at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Bound for a metal-rich asteroid of the... 10-11-2023
NASA’s Psyche Images Stars, Jovian System ...observations of Jupiter and Mars also help the team determine how the cameras respond to solar system objects that shine by reflected sunlight, just... 03-05-2025