INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The spacecraft, built by Maxar Space Systems, will operate its electric thrusters for the equivalent of three months between now and
November to keep the mission on track for arrival at asteroid Psyche in 2029."Through comprehensive testing and analysis, the team narrowed
down the potential causes to a valve that may have malfunctioned in the primary line," NASA said in a statement Friday
"The switch to the identical backup propellant line in late May restored full functionality to the propulsion system."The next waypoint on
Psyche's voyage will be a flyby of Mars in May 2026
Officials expect Psyche to keep that date, which is critical for using Mars' gravity to slingshot the spacecraft deeper into the Solar
System, eventually reaching the asteroid belt about four years from now.
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 planets, labeled with key milestones of the prime
mission.
Credit:
NASA/JPL-Caltech
At Psyche,
the spacecraft will enter orbit and progressively move closer to the asteroid, using a suite of sensors to map its surface, measure its
shape, mass, and gravity field, and determine its elemental composition
Observations through telescopes suggest Psyche is roughly 140 miles (226 kilometers) in diameter, or about the width of Massachusetts
But it's likely not spherical in shape
Scientists describe its shape as more akin to a potato.Potatoes come in lots of shapes, and researchers won't know exactly what Psyche looks
like until NASA's asteroid explorer arrives in 2029
Psyche will be the first metallic, or M-type, asteroid visited by any spacecraft, and scientists are eager to study an object that's largely
thrusters back in action, these goals of NASA's billion-dollar science mission remain achievable."The mission team's dedication and
"Their thorough diagnosis and recovery, using the backup system, demonstrates the value of robust spacecraft design and exceptional
teamwork."But there's still a lingering concern whatever problem caused the valve to malfunction in the primary fuel line might also
eventually affect the same kind of valve in the backup line."We are doing a lot of good proactive work around that possible issue," wrote
Lindy Elkins-Tanton, Psyche's principal investigator at Arizona State University, in a post on X.
