To NASA reportedthat the launch of the space probe Psyche (“Psyche”) to the homonymous space body in the main asteroid belt has been postponed to October 2023. The probe to study the asteroid was supposed to go into space on 1 August this year , but the launch was delayed due to software problems.
Image source: SSL / ASU / P. Rubin / NASA / JPL-Caltech
On the problem become known in May of this year, which forced NASA to move the launch date by two months (August to October). Unfortunately, the problem could not be resolved on schedule and the start was postponed. A new Psyche probe dispatch window will open on October 10, 2023. The launch will take place aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launch vehicle.
There is still no official report from NASA experts on the problem. It will be published later. According to preliminary information, the problems did not arise with the device itself and its software, but with the complex software and hardware of the test bench, to which the probe for controlling the on-board systems is connected. The stand was manufactured at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the spacecraft components were manufactured by Maxar.
According to the scientists’ results, the asteroid “Psyche” is a protoplanetary nucleus of iron and nickel. The diameter of the asteroid reaches 252 km. His valued value is at least $ 10 quintillion and will obviously continue to grow. For science, the value of “Psyche” lies in the ability to explore the planetary core, to which we, even on Earth, are as far away as the nearest stars.
If the mission is sent in October next year, the spacecraft will be able to orbit the asteroid in August 2029. A launch this summer would allow exploration of the asteroid to begin three years earlier. We hope that there will be no more delays in the launch.
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