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NASA's Psyche spacecraft goes 'pedal to the metal' toward its metal asteroid
In brief
NASA said on October 22, 2026 that its Psyche spacecraft, fresh from a gravity assist at Mars, has switched to running its electric thrusters nearly continuously on the way to the metal-rich asteroid of the same name. The thrusters began near-constant operation on September 28, and the mission remains on course to arrive in the main asteroid belt by summer 2029.
A gentle push that adds up
Psyche launched in October 2023 and, until now, used its electric propulsion only on and off to line up its Mars flyby. According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the thrusters will now run nearly 90% of the time, pausing about once a week so the team can check in with the spacecraft. Navigation lead Don Han summed it up as "pedal to the metal" toward the asteroid.
The spacecraft uses Hall-effect thrusters, which push out charged xenon atoms and give off a blue glow. The push is tiny, up to 250 millinewtons, which NASA compares to the weight of a single AA battery in your hand. Because it never really stops, that small force builds up over time, and at its fastest during cruise Psyche will be travelling more than 100,000 mph (about 160,900 km/h) relative to Earth.
Plenty of fuel left
Psyche launched with nearly 2,400 pounds (1,090 kilograms) of xenon in seven tanks and has used about a third so far, NASA said, leaving enough to reach the asteroid and support a two-year science mission in orbit. Its two cross-shaped solar arrays, with about 800 square feet (75 square meters) of collecting area, power everything. The team plans about three more months at full power before slowly throttling down toward half power as the spacecraft moves farther from the Sun and its panels collect less light.
VSH take: this is a nice lesson in patience for anyone who loves space. Instead of one big rocket burn, Psyche wins with a tiny, steady push for years, a bit like saving a little money every day.
ViralScopeHub is an independent site and is not affiliated with NASA or JPL.
Why it matters
Asteroid Psyche may be part of the metal core of an early planet, so studying it could help scientists understand how rocky worlds like Earth formed.
People also ask
When will Psyche reach its asteroid?
NASA says the spacecraft is on track to reach the asteroid Psyche in the main asteroid belt by summer 2029.
How strong are Psyche's thrusters?
Up to 250 millinewtons, about the weight of an AA battery in your hand, but they run nearly 90% of the time so the push adds up.
How much fuel does Psyche have left?
It launched with nearly 1,090 kilograms of xenon and has used about a third, leaving enough for the trip and a two-year science mission.
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Sources
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