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Update: Sept. 29, 2023 – NASA and SpaceX are now targeting Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7:16 a.m. PT (10:16 a.m. ET) for the Psyche launch. Get the latest updates on NASA's Psyche Mission blog.

Follow along with NASA for the launch of the Psyche asteroid mission. The Psyche mission is designed to explore an asteroid – also named Psyche – that is thought to be the remnant of a planet's core. After escaping Earth’s gravity, the spacecraft will use solar electric propulsion (rather than a chemical engine) to make its six-year journey to the asteroid, arriving in August 2029.

The first opportunity for launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida is Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7:16 a.m. PT (10:16 a.m. ET) with additional opportunities through October 25.

• Get the latest launch updates and more on NASA's Psyche mission Blog.
• Watch live coverage of the event below on October 12. Coverage is also available on NASA Television and the agency’s website, as well as YouTube, X, Facebook, and NASA’s App.
• You can also register to be a virtual guest at the event and receive schedule updates, curated resources, and more delivered straight to your inbox.

Education Resources

For Educators

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  Teachable Moments

  Asteroid Mission Aims to Explore Mysteries of Earth's Core

  Explore how NASA's Psyche mission aims to help scientists answer questions about Earth and the formation of our solar system. Then, make connections to STEM learning in the classroom.

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  Collection

  Psyche Lessons for Educators

  Explore a collection of standards-aligned lessons related to NASA's Psyche mission.

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  Collection

  Asteroids Lessons for Educators

  Explore a collection of standards-aligned lessons all about asteroids and craters.

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  Teachable Moments

  How NASA Studies and Tracks Asteroids Near and Far

  Studying the chemical and physical properties, as well as the location and motion of asteroids, is vital to helping us understand how the sun, planets and other solar system bodies came to be. This article explores how NASA studies and tracks asteroids.

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  Expert Talk

  Teaching Space With NASA: Tracking Asteroids

  In this educational talk, NASA experts will discuss how we track and study comets and asteroids. Plus, we'll answer your questions!

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  Teachable Moments

  The Science Behind NASA's First Attempt at Redirecting an Asteroid

  Find out more about the historic first test, which could be used to defend our planet if a hazardous asteroid were discovered.

For Students

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  Expert Talk

  Learning Space With NASA – Exploring Asteroids With Psyche

  In this talk for grades 4-12, experts answer questions from students, discuss the science behind the Psyche mission and explore STEM activities all about asteroids.

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  Collection

  Psyche Activities for Students

  Explore projects, videos, slideshows, and games for students all about asteroids.

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  Collection

  Asteroids Activities for Students

  Explore projects, videos, slideshows, and games for students all about asteroids.

Join the Conversation

• Get the latest updates from the JPL education team. Sign up for the JPL Education newsletter
• Join the conversation with @NASAJPL_Edu on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Check out these related resources for kids from NASA Space Place:

• Article for Kids: Asteroid or Meteor: What's the Difference?
• Article for Kids: What Is an Asteroid?
• Article for Kids: Why Does the Moon Have Craters?
• Article for Kids: What Is an Impact Crater?

Websites

• Psyche Mission
• Asteroid Watch
• Center for Near-Earth Object Studies
• NASA Space Apps Challenge

Articles

• Psyche News Archive
• Articles: Asteroid News from JPL

Images

• Psyche Image Gallery

Videos

• Psyche Mission Video

Interactives

• Eyes on Asteroids

Printouts

• Print a 3D Model of the Psyche Spacecraft
• Create a Psyche Lego Model
• Create a Model of the Psyche Asteroid