UPDATE: Thursday’s launch attempt has been scrubbed. NASA and SpaceX are now targeting no earlier than Friday, October 13th at 9:19 am CDT. This piece reflects updated launch and broadcast times.
NASA is launching a spacecraft through space to the metal-rich asteroid, Psyche to learn more about the origins of our Solar System. The spacecraft is launching onboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket no earlier than October 13th, 2023, at 9:19 a.m. CDT.
NASA will provide live coverage of the launch on NASA TV beginning at 8:15 a.m. CDT. Live commentary of the launch on NASA’s website and YouTube begins at 8:30 a.m. CDT.
The Psyche mission is the first of its kind, chosen because it is a metal-rich asteroid, and appears to have unique properties that NASA hopes will reveal new information about the origin of our Solar System. Beyond the scientific reasons for going to the asteroid Psyche, NASA aims to test a few technology demonstrations in deep space, specifically communication beyond the Moon and a solar electric propulsion system.
Because Psyche is located in the asteroid belt of our Solar System, the spacecraft will need to first reach the asteroid’s orbit before it can begin performing any science investigations. The Psyche spacecraft will perform science operations for a little more than two years once it reaches the asteroid Psyche in 2029.
In addition to watching the launch broadcast, NASA invites the public to attend the launch virtually and collect a launch stamp in a virtual NASA launch passport. You can register for that program here: NASA Virtual Guest Program.
