Nasa’s newest Psyche spacecraft is on a voyage to an asteroid of the same name. This spacecraft being launched was to check the spacecraft’s communications and record the asteroid’s frequencies. This launch can help further the technology of future exploration missions.
The spacecraft creates more bandwidth for communication in space. This helps make transmitting data faster. This provides a better way to map space. This technology can be used for future missions for communication.
The spacecraft established a two-way communication at 11.50 AM PDT. The spacecraft is in safe mode right now. The spacecraft separated from the rocket an hour later.
The purpose of this spacecraft is to study the asteroid psyche. This asteroid contains high amounts of metal. Over the years, the spacecraft will be transmitting the data from Psyche for NASA to record. The goal of the mission is to investigate the asteroid for 26 months.
The spacecraft is offering technology and mapping out our universe even more. It will take 6 years to get to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The first 100 days will be its commissioning stages. This process is making sure the flight systems are healthy and to make sure that thrusters can fly longer.
In 3 weeks, the first opportunity to power the optical communications technology. This will be the first test beyond the moon of high-rise data optical, or laser, communications. While the data transceiver is hosted by the spacecraft, the tech demo will not relay the data.
All this data will open up Deep Space Optical Communications. It will begin sending data to Earth soon. This could test the critical capabilities for future space exploration.
Arizona State University is leading the mission. In Pasadena, there is a center responsible for the mission’s overall management, system engineering, integration and test, and mission operations.
