NASA prepares to visit a mysterious metal-rich asteroid in the deep solar system

Project systems engineer David Oh provides an inside look at the newly arrived Solar Electric Propulsion Chassis. This hardware is a critical component of the upcoming mission to explore a unique, metal-rich asteroid located in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.

The Psyche spacecraft is currently undergoing assembly at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The mission is scheduled for a 2022 launch, aiming to reach and study an asteroid that is distinct for its high metal content. By examining this object, researchers hope to gain insights into the formation of planetary bodies.

The Solar Electric Propulsion Chassis serves as a foundational element of the spacecraft's architecture. Its arrival at the Spacecraft Assembly Facility marks a significant milestone in the mission's development timeline as engineers prepare the craft for its journey to the main belt.

Source: #MissionToPsyche: Q&A from JPL’s Spacecraft Assembly Facility