NASA’s journey to unique metal world
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NASA is to explore a giant asteroid which, unlike most other asteroids that are rocky or icy bodies, appears to be the exposed metal core of a planet from the early days of our solar system
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PSYCHE ASTEROID

Diameter: 226km – about one-sixteenth of Moon’s diameter

Composition: As much as 95% nickel and iron – similar to Earth’s core

Origin: Scientists believe Psyche could be remains of small planet that lost rocky outer layers in violent collisions, billions of years ago
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SPACECRAFT INSTRUMENTS

Multispectral imager
Gamma ray and neutron spectrometer
Magnetometer
X-band radio telecommunications system

Length: 24.76m
Width: 7.34m

1 Aug 2022: Launch
2 May 2023: Mars flyby and gravity assist
3 Jan 2026: Arrival at Psyche
4 Oct 2027: Mission ends after orbiting asteroid for 21 months

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Data from Psyche will help scientists understand how terrestrial planets – including Earth – form
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Source: NASA Picture: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU
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