@MissionToPsyche

@NASA's Psyche mission to a metal-rich asteroid. Account managed by the Psyche team @ASU. Official NASA communications: @NASASolarSystem.

psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu/
Joined July 2016
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  • Following66
  • Followers18.9K
1.2KMedia
Mission To Psyche retweeted
NASA Solar System
@NASASolarSystem2h
Floor it! NASA’s Psyche spacecraft has fired up its thrusters and is accelerating to the metal-rich asteroid of the same name. Learn more about Psyche’s solar-powered propulsion system, which uses electromagnetic fields to steadily deliver thrust: go.nasa.gov/4jAR2bY
Photo of a Hall thruster identical to those on NASA’s Psyche operating in a vacuum chamber at JPL during tests. A ring of blue light emits a hazy stream of glowing material. The blue light is generated by xenon ions being accelerated through an electromagnetic field, which gives the spacecraft a gentle but steady acceleration. NASA/JPL-Caltech

ALT Photo of a Hall thruster identical to those on NASA’s Psyche operating in a vacuum chamber at JPL during tests. A ring of blue light emits a hazy stream of glowing material. The blue light is generated by xenon ions being accelerated through an electromagnetic field, which gives the spacecraft a gentle but steady acceleration. NASA/JPL-Caltech

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They say a picture holds a thousand words... Ever wondered how #MissionToPsyche got its signature badge? Read all about it at psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu/2021…
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Happy Psyche launch anniversary!🥳🚀 On October 13th, 2023, the Psyche spacecraft said goodbye to Earth and hello to its deep space mission to a metal asteroid. It has been 3 years since that day and in another ~3 years (2029), Psyche will approach its final destination (Psyche!)
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One week from today is the Psyche launch anniversary🚀! To celebrate, we're taking a look back at where it all began👀. Read about the birth of a space mission, from the perspective of the Psyche Principal Investigator, Dr. @ltelkins, at psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu/2017… NASA-JPL/Caltech
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Solar System bodies make deep space exploration more fuel efficient! Today’s video shows the Psyche spacecraft gaining speed and changing its trajectory with minimal fuel spent due to a gravity assist from Mars in May 2026. Mars has an average orbital speed of almost 87,000 km/h (54,000 mph) around the Sun. Its orbital motion and its gravity allowed Mars to pull Psyche along with it, increasing the spacecraft’s speed. Gravity assists have been used since 1959’s Luna 3 mission to allow for spacecraft (the Voyagers, Cassini) to reach farther than they could with fuel alone. This assist helped the Psyche spacecraft on its journey to the Psyche asteroid, which it will reach in 2029. While passing Mars, the spacecraft tested instruments that will analyze the asteroid’s composition and magnetic field. This is the first mission to an asteroid thought to be largely made of metal, an essential building block for planets, rather than rock or ice. Video Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/True Story Films Text: Keighley Rockcliffe (NASA GSFC, UMBC CSST, CRESST II)
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Mission To Psyche retweeted
NASA Solar System
@NASASolarSystemJul 9
1,000 days in space! 🌌📷 As of today, our Psyche spacecraft has been traveling for a thousand days. Watch for more views of its recent Mars flyby soon! Next stop: the intriguing, metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche.
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Mission To Psyche retweeted
Lindy Elkins-Tanton@ltelkinsJul 9
Congratulations on 1,000 days in flight, Psyche mission! Here's the moment in 2023 when 1 hr 2 min 40 sec after liftoff that gorgeous Falcon Heavy (on the right) gave our s/c (lower left) a perfect tip-off, no angular momentum, on her way. @MissionToPsyche @NASA
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Mission To Psyche retweeted
MIT EAPS@eapsMITJul 17
Hello, Mars 👋 The NASA Psyche spacecraft completed a flyby of the red planet in May, and took the opportunity to test out its on-board instruments to make sure everything is functioning properly on its @MissionToPsyche in 2029. buff.ly/035vscG

Psyche spacecraft delivers Mars flyby data, detailed look at Mars’ magnetic signatures

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, on a journey to explore the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, completed a flyby of Mars on May 15. While the flyby was primarily planned to provide a gravity […]

eaps.mit.edu
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Mission To Psyche retweeted
NASA Mars
@NASAMarsJul 17
These stunning views of our favorite planet come courtesy of NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, which recently completed a Mars gravity assist on its way to explore a metal-rich asteroid. Psyche captured this series of images throughout the month of May as it sped toward the Red Planet.
A composite image of a series of images of the crescent Mars against the darkness of space. The crescents are nested within each other, showing the planet growing larger in the view over time. In the largest, closest views, clouds can be seen above the planet's surface.

ALT A composite image of a series of images of the crescent Mars against the darkness of space. The crescents are nested within each other, showing the planet growing larger in the view over time. In the largest, closest views, clouds can be seen above the planet's surface.

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Mission To Psyche retweeted
ESA Science
@esascienceJul 17
Our Mars Express (image 1) meets @MissionToPsyche (image 2) 🤝 As Psyche flew past Mars for a gravity boost on its way to an asteroid, the two missions captured exactly the same patch of the Red Planet's surface. Find out why these joint observations can be useful 👉 esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Image…
A square image from Mars Express showing a mostly-orange patch of Mars's surface, scattered with sharp craters, many of which are blue inside.

ALT A square image from Mars Express showing a mostly-orange patch of Mars's surface, scattered with sharp craters, many of which are blue inside.

A square image from Psyche showing a mostly-orange patch of Mars's surface, scattered with sharp craters, many of which are blue inside.

ALT A square image from Psyche showing a mostly-orange patch of Mars's surface, scattered with sharp craters, many of which are blue inside.

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Mission To Psyche retweeted
NASA JPL
@NASAJPLJul 17
Mars in motion! ⏩ While on its way to explore a mysterious, metal-rich asteroid, our Psyche spacecraft sped by Mars for a gravity assist to pick up speed and adjust its trajectory. As it approached the planet, it captured this series of high-res snaps.
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Mission To Psyche retweeted
NASA Solar System
@NASASolarSystemJul 17
Some things our Psyche spacecraft picked up during its brief visit to Mars in May: - 1000 MPH speed boost - 3-degree trajectory adjustment - Science data - Lots of pictures!
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Mission To Psyche retweeted
Lindy Elkins-Tanton@ltelkinsJun 29
Undergrads in the US, consider applying, and share with your friends! @MissionToPsyche team loves our art interns.
Learn With NASA
@LearnWithNASAJun 29
Looking for something new to spark your creativity? Why not look to a metal-rich asteroid?👩‍🎨🪨 Undergrads at U.S. universities & community colleges are invited to join the next NASA Psyche Inspired intern cohort. Applications are due Aug. 28. Learn more: psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu/get-…
This body of work by artist Martha Quirie is called Carrier Craters and is intended to be a functional dining set for four, based on the imagined craters of 16 Psyche. The bowls are all unique and intended to mimic the unique impact craters. Each cup is made with dimple “handles” that look like mini craters for better handability and more consistent connection to the surface of Psyche.

ALT This body of work by artist Martha Quirie is called Carrier Craters and is intended to be a functional dining set for four, based on the imagined craters of 16 Psyche. The bowls are all unique and intended to mimic the unique impact craters. Each cup is made with dimple “handles” that look like mini craters for better handability and more consistent connection to the surface of Psyche.

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Mission To Psyche retweeted
Lindy Elkins-Tanton@ltelkinsJul 8
Everything we do is art...a new essay from Monica Moreno, a Psyche Inspired art intern, about her experience at the intersection of art and space exploration wirh @MissionToPsyche. medium.com/p/a154211fcf9b

Everything We Do Is Art

By Monica Moreno, Artist and former NASA Psyche Inspired Intern (Cobalt Class: 2019–2020)

medium.com
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Mission To Psyche retweeted
Learn With NASA
@LearnWithNASAJun 29
Looking for something new to spark your creativity? Why not look to a metal-rich asteroid?👩‍🎨🪨 Undergrads at U.S. universities & community colleges are invited to join the next NASA Psyche Inspired intern cohort. Applications are due Aug. 28. Learn more: psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu/get-…
This body of work by artist Martha Quirie is called Carrier Craters and is intended to be a functional dining set for four, based on the imagined craters of 16 Psyche. The bowls are all unique and intended to mimic the unique impact craters. Each cup is made with dimple “handles” that look like mini craters for better handability and more consistent connection to the surface of Psyche.

ALT This body of work by artist Martha Quirie is called Carrier Craters and is intended to be a functional dining set for four, based on the imagined craters of 16 Psyche. The bowls are all unique and intended to mimic the unique impact craters. Each cup is made with dimple “handles” that look like mini craters for better handability and more consistent connection to the surface of Psyche.

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Mission To Psyche retweeted
NASA
@NASAMay 20
First stop, Mars. Next stop, Psyche 📍 On May 15, our Psyche spacecraft swung by Mars on its way to its next destination: a metal-rich asteroid also named Psyche. The Red Planet gave the spacecraft a 1,000-mph speed boost and provided some stunning photos as well!
A view of crescent Mars against black space. The planet\u2019s warm color glows faintly along its rim. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

ALT A view of crescent Mars against black space. The planet\u2019s warm color glows faintly along its rim. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

A bird\u2019s-eye view of the double-ring Martian crater Huygens, seen in the top right of the image. The colors appear as a dramatic, blotchy mix of radiant blue and rusty red. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

ALT A bird\u2019s-eye view of the double-ring Martian crater Huygens, seen in the top right of the image. The colors appear as a dramatic, blotchy mix of radiant blue and rusty red. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

A photo of Mars, partially shadowed toward the top of the image, from its south polar region. The planet appears gray from this angle, and its southern ice cap is stark white by contrast. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

ALT A photo of Mars, partially shadowed toward the top of the image, from its south polar region. The planet appears gray from this angle, and its southern ice cap is stark white by contrast. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

A bird\u2019s-eye view of the rusty-red Martian surface. The surface is heavily cratered with white outlines around them, streaky due to the planet\u2019s wind. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

ALT A bird\u2019s-eye view of the rusty-red Martian surface. The surface is heavily cratered with white outlines around them, streaky due to the planet\u2019s wind. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU

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Mission To Psyche retweeted
NASA Solar System
@NASASolarSystemMay 20
The initial reports are in: #MissionToPsyche aced its Mars flyby. ☑️ With the Red Planet in the rearview mirror, the spacecraft will soon resume using its solar-electric propulsion system to make a beeline to the main asteroid belt and rendezvous with the asteroid Psyche.
NASA JPL
@NASAJPLMay 19
Hello Mars, goodbye Mars 👋 NASA’s #MissionToPsyche spacecraft was speeding by the Red Planet on May 15 when it snapped this rare, crescent view of Mars. The successful flyby flung the Psyche spacecraft toward its final destination: the metal-rich asteroid Psyche. 1/2
A crescent-shaped Mars against the darkness of space. Within the thin illuminated crescent, the reddish surface and some clouds can be seen.

ALT A crescent-shaped Mars against the darkness of space. Within the thin illuminated crescent, the reddish surface and some clouds can be seen.

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Mission To Psyche retweeted
NASA JPL
@NASAJPLMay 19
Hello Mars, goodbye Mars 👋 NASA’s #MissionToPsyche spacecraft was speeding by the Red Planet on May 15 when it snapped this rare, crescent view of Mars. The successful flyby flung the Psyche spacecraft toward its final destination: the metal-rich asteroid Psyche. 1/2
A crescent-shaped Mars against the darkness of space. Within the thin illuminated crescent, the reddish surface and some clouds can be seen.

ALT A crescent-shaped Mars against the darkness of space. Within the thin illuminated crescent, the reddish surface and some clouds can be seen.

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Mission To Psyche retweeted
NASA Solar System
@NASASolarSystemMay 15
Replying to @NASASolarSystem @NASAJPL
Thanks for the boost, @NASAMars! Next stop: the asteroid Psyche. There's still a long way to go – the #MissionToPsyche spacecraft will enter orbit there in 2029. Exactly what we will find remains to be seen... Follow along at science.nasa.gov/mission/psy… and watch this space
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Mission To Psyche retweeted
NASA Solar System
@NASASolarSystemMay 15
Replying to @NASASolarSystem @NASAJPL
☑️Closest approach! Distance: 2,800 miles Speed: 12,300 mph
Simulated view of the Psyche spacecraft, with its "wings" of solar panel arrays, passing above the surface of the planet Mars, now seen in nearly full phase.

ALT Simulated view of the Psyche spacecraft, with its "wings" of solar panel arrays, passing above the surface of the planet Mars, now seen in nearly full phase.

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