Simone

Posted Friday, October 13, 2023

7mo

INFJ

Taurus

5

6

Psyche

16 Pysche is a truly interesting object, perhaps the exposed core of a planetesimal or an object shaped by episodes of ferrovolcanism. The launch start between 7 minuts aboard a Falcon Heavy. The mass at launch will be 2.6 tonnes, of which only 30 kg of scientific instruments: a multispectral camera to distinguish between metals and silicates, gamma ray and neutron spectrometer to analyze and map the surface composition, magnetometer and the antenna which will also be used to investigate the gravitational field. The maneuvers will be carried out thanks to an ion engine. Arrival is expected in August 2029, with a flyby of Mars in 2026. The main mission will last 26 months, divided into 5 phases characterized by different orbits and objectives. This trip will not require touching the surface to collect samples, the probe will orbit the asteroid meticulously, varying its altitude from ~700 km to ~75 km (and maybe even less!). The probe will map the asteroid's geology, topography and gravity; will look for evidence of the presence of a magnetic field; the composition of the asteroid will be compared with what is believed to be that of the Earth's core. The questions he will have to answer will be: Is Psyche really the nucleus of a planetesimal? Is it a one-piece asteroid, or is it a collection of boulders and regolith, or something entirely different? Are there any indications that the outer layers (crust and mantle) were violently torn off? And the most important question: can what we learn from the study of Psyche be extrapolated to solve some of the mysteries surrounding the Earth's core? The journey to seek answers to these questions will begin in 8 minutes