What makes this mission truly remarkable is the target: the asteroid itself. It’s believed to be worth more than an astounding 10,000 quadrillion US dollars, surpassing the total value of all the gold on Earth! The dedicated scientists at NASA are diligently preparing for the spacecraft’s launch, ensuring that everything is in perfect order.
If successful, this mission could have far-reaching implications for the global economy, given the astronomical value of the celestial body in question. This asteroid resides in the outermost layer of an asteroid belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. The Psyche spacecraft is scheduled to lift off at 10:16 am on October 12th, riding aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket from Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The primary objective of this mission is to conduct an in-depth study of the asteroid, which could yield valuable insights into the early formation of our planet and the nature of planetary cores. To put the asteroid’s worth into perspective, the combined GDP of the entire world currently stands at $105 trillion US dollars, a figure that pales in comparison to the staggering $10,000 quadrillion associated with this celestial body.
According to NASA, the Psyche mission is named after an asteroid that orbits the sun in the space region between Mars and Jupiter. The mission is led by Arizona State University and forms part of NASA’s Discovery Programme. Once the Psyche spacecraft reaches the asteroid, it will affix itself, meticulously map the asteroid’s surface, and conduct an extensive study of its properties.
