JPL
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
JPL Logo
JPL Logo
Image

A Metal-Rich World (Artist's Concept)

July 7, 2020
This artist's concept depicts the asteroid Psyche, the target of NASA's Psyche mission.

This artist's concept depicts the 140-mile-wide (226-kilometer-wide) asteroid Psyche, which lies in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Psyche is the focal point of NASA's mission of the same name. The Psyche spacecraft is set to launch in August 2022 and arrive at the asteroid in 2026, where it will orbit for 21 months and investigate its composition.

Scientists think that Psyche, unlike most other asteroids that are rocky or icy bodies, is made up of mostly iron and nickel — similar to the Earth's core. Exploring the asteroid could give valuable insight into how our own planet and others formed. The Psyche team will use a magnetometer to measure the asteroid's magnetic field. A multispectral imager will capture images of the surface, as well as data about the Psyche's composition and topography. Spectrometers will analyze the neutrons and gamma rays coming from the surface to reveal the elements that make up the asteroid itself.

The image was created by Peter Rubin.

Arizona State University in Tempe leads the mission. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California is responsible for the mission's overall management, system engineering, integration and test, and mission operations. Maxar Technologies is providing the high-power solar electric propulsion spacecraft chassis. For more information about NASA's Psyche mission go to: http://www.nasa.gov/psyche or https://psyche.asu.edu/

Download JPG
Download TIFF
Mission
Target
  • Asteroids and Comets
Spacecraft
  • Psyche
Credit
NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

Keep Exploring

Psyche Launch Ascent Timeline

Psyche Orbital Operations

Psyche's Mission Plan

Psyche Mission Team at JPL

Psyche Undergoes Vibration Testing

Psyche Spacecraft en Route to the Asteroid Belt (Artist's Concept)

Preparing for Psyche's Array Test Deployment

NASA's Psyche: Solar Arrays Stowed for Launch

Psyche Ramping up to Launch

Home Stretch to Launch for Psyche

Related Topics

QUIZZES .

Space Trivia

News .

NASA’s Perseverance Captures Dust-Filled Martian Whirlwind

News .

Historic Wind Tunnel Facility Testing NASA’s Mars Ascent Vehicle Rocket

News .

NASA Releases Independent Review’s Mars Sample Return Report

News .

Autonomous Systems Help NASA’s Perseverance Do More Science on Mars

News .

Venus on Earth: NASA’s VERITAS Science Team Studies Volcanic Iceland

News .

NASA’s Curiosity Reaches Mars Ridge Where Water Left Debris Pileup

News .

NASA to Discuss Optical Communications Demo Riding With Psyche

Event Sept. 21, 2023 .

Solar Eclipses: Your Guide to the 2023/2024 Celestial Events

News .

NASA’s Oxygen-Generating Experiment MOXIE Completes Mars Mission

About JPL
Who We Are
Executive Council
Directors
Careers
Internships
The JPL Story
JPL Achievements
Documentary Series
Annual Reports
JPL Plan: 2023-2026
Missions
Current
Past
Future
All
News
All
Earth
Solar System
Stars and Galaxies
Subscribe to JPL News
Galleries
Images
Videos
Audio
Podcasts
Apps
Visions of the Future
Slice of History
Robotics at JPL
Events
Lecture Series
Team Competitions
Speakers Bureau
Calendar
Visit
Public Tours
Virtual Tour
Directions and Maps
Topics
JPL Life
Solar System
Mars
Earth
Climate Change
Exoplanets
Stars and Galaxies
Robotics
More
Asteroid Watch
NASA's Eyes Visualizations
Universe - Internal Newsletter
Social Media
Get the Latest from JPL
Follow Us

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by Caltech.

More from JPL
Careers Education Science & Technology Acquisitions JPL Store
Careers
Education
Science & Technology
Acquisitions
JPL Store
Related NASA Sites
Basics of Spaceflight
Climate Kids
Earth / Global Climate Change
Exoplanet Exploration
Mars Exploration
Solar System Exploration
Space Place
NASA's Eyes Visualization Project
Voyager Interstellar Mission
NASA
Caltech
Privacy
Image Policy
FAQ
Feedback
Site Managers: Veronica McGregor, Randal Jackson
Site Editors: Tony Greicius, Naomi Hartono
CL#: 21-0018