NASA's Psyche Mission: A Deep Space Journey Powered by Low-Thrust Electric Propulsion

NASA's Psyche spacecraft is embarking on a six-year journey to a metal-rich asteroid of the same name, using four Russian-made Hall-effect thrusters. Each thruster generates a minuscule 250 millinewtons of thrust, roughly equivalent to the weight of three quarters, but their continuous operation over months provides superior efficiency compared to conventional rockets. The spacecraft will use Mars' gravity assist next year to slingshot itself into the asteroid belt, aiming for arrival and orbit insertion around asteroid Psyche in August 2029. This over $1.4 billion mission aims to explore this unique metallic asteroid and uncover its mysteries.