Psyche's Touch is a small plaster asteroid fits in your hand. Raised ripples radiate out like waves in water from the hand print underneath. This sculpture captures a moment of touch echoing outward, like a quiet ripple through space.
Psyche's Touch is a small plaster asteroid fits in your hand. Raised ripples radiate out like waves in water from the hand print underneath. This sculpture captures a moment of touch echoing outward, like a quiet ripple through space.
Psyche's Touch is a small plaster asteroid fits in your hand. Raised ripples radiate out like waves in water from the hand print underneath. This sculpture captures a moment of touch echoing outward, like a quiet ripple through space.
Psyche's Touch is a small plaster asteroid fits in your hand. Raised ripples radiate out like waves in water from the hand print underneath. This sculpture captures a moment of touch echoing outward, like a quiet ripple through space.
Psyche's Touch is a small plaster asteroid fits in your hand. Raised ripples radiate out like waves in water from the hand print underneath. This sculpture captures a moment of touch echoing outward, like a quiet ripple through space.
Psyche's Touch is a small plaster asteroid fits in your hand. Raised ripples radiate out like waves in water from the hand print underneath. This sculpture captures a moment of touch echoing outward, like a quiet ripple through space.

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Psyche’s Touch

Madelaine T. Vu

April 17th, 2025

Major: Neuroscience and Psychology

Genre/Medium: Silicone Mold

About the work:

Psyche’s Touch was inspired by the spirit of human exploration within the Psyche mission. I wanted to capture something beyond the study of a planetary core — our innate desire to reach outward, to discover, to connect, and to be a part of something greater.

The piece began as a 3D printed model of the Psyche asteroid, which I modified using clay to create rippling waves that radiate from a handprint on the underside. These waves echo the idea that even a single touch can send energy outward, like curiosity or inspiration spreading through space and time.

I designed this piece to be held. It nestles into the palm, inviting quiet reflection and tactile connection. My hope is that when someone holds it, they feel a link not only to the asteroid and its mysteries but also to the mission, its people, and its soul.

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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. This year’s Psyche Inspired cohort is known as the Iridium Class. These works are posted in the gallery and highlighted on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. View the full resolution images in the image gallery. There are many ways to get involved with NASA’s Psyche mission. Learn how you can be a part of the Psyche mission through our “Get Involved” pages at https://psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu/get-involved/ and https://science.nasa.gov/mission/psyche/ways-to-participate/. To learn more about the overall Psyche mission, visit nasa.gov/psyche or jpl.nasa.gov/missions/psyche.

Date Added: 04-17-2025
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Madelaine Vu - Psyche Inspired

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