NASA has announced that the Psyche spacecraft, en route to a metal-rich asteroid in the main asteroid belt beyond Mars, has fired its futuristic ion thrusters. The spacecraft, launched on October 13, 2023, has completed its six-month health checks and is now in full cruise mode.
Psyche Spacecraft Enters Full Cruise Mode
Over the next year, Psyche will be in what mission planners call “full cruise” mode. This means its electric thrusters will be continuously operating to propel the spacecraft towards the asteroid belt. These thrusters work by expelling charged xenon atoms, or ions, and emit a blue glow from the rear of the spacecraft. The thrusters are part of Psyche’s highly efficient solar electric propulsion system, which is powered by sunlight. Despite the thrust being relatively low, it is sufficient for Psyche’s needs. NASA explains that even in full cruise mode, the pressure exerted by the thrusters is comparable to the weight of a few coins in your hand.
Currently, Psyche is 300 million kilometers away from Earth, traveling at a speed of 37 kilometers per second, which translates to about 135,000 kilometers per hour. NASA anticipates that, due to the continuous thrust and the absence of atmospheric drag, Psyche could accelerate to speeds up to 200,000 kilometers per hour.
Mission to the Metal-Rich Asteroid Psyche
As its name suggests, the Psyche spacecraft’s mission is to reach the metal-rich asteroid Psyche. According to the mission timeline, the spacecraft is expected to arrive at the asteroid in 2029 and will orbit it for two years. The asteroid, which is 280 kilometers wide, could provide valuable insights into the formation of rocky planets with metal cores.
Importance of Psyche to NASA
The Psyche spacecraft has previously been highlighted in the news. Notably, it carries the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) module, an experimental tool for space-based laser communication. To date, it has conducted a series of tests, including sending a laser message from 225 million kilometers away at a speed of 25 Mbps in April. In December, it transmitted the first 15-second ultra HD cat video from space.
Although ion thrusters (also known as Hall thrusters or electric thrusters) are both a relatively new and quite old technology for NASA, they have a storied history. NASA tested its first ion thruster in 1964, and ion thrusters were first used as the primary propulsion system on the Deep Space 1 mission in 1998. While not practical for use on Earth, their lack of moving parts makes them a reliable option for space travel. You can see how they work in the video below.
By leveraging advanced technologies like ion thrusters and DSOC, NASA’s Psyche mission is poised to push the boundaries of what we know about our solar system and the formation of planetary bodies.
