Context
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft recently captured and transmitted a clear crescent view of Mars while passing at a distance of about 5 million kilometres, highlighting an important visual milestone during its ongoing deep-space mission.
About Psyche Spacecraft
- NASA launched the Psyche spacecraft on 13 October 2023 to begin its deep-space mission targeting a metal-rich asteroid also named Psyche.
- Built roughly the size of a small van, it travels using a solar-electric propulsion system powered by xenon gas, which enables gradual acceleration over long distances.
- During its journey, it carries a multispectral imager that uses twin cameras with filters and telescopic lenses to capture the asteroid in different wavelengths of light.
- It includes a gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer to analyse the chemical elements present on the asteroid’s surface, along with a magnetometer to check for evidence of an ancient magnetic field.
- The spacecraft is expected to be captured by the asteroid’s gravity in late July 2029, after which the main mission will begin in August 2029.
- Once in orbit, it will spend about two years studying the asteroid, including mapping its surface, capturing images, and determining its composition in detail.
