NASA picks SpaceX Falcon Heavy to launch Psyche mission to metal asteroid in 2022

[Elderberry]

Space.com by Samantha Mathewson 3/2/2020

NASA has contracted SpaceX to launch the agency's Psyche mission to a unique metal asteroid.

The $117 million Psyche mission will use one of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rockets, and it is scheduled to launch from Launch Complex 39A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in July 2022.

The spacecraft will travel to a unique metal-rich asteroid named Psyche, which orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter. Astronomers believe that studying this new asteroid will offer new clues about how terrestrial planets like Earth form, according to a statement from NASA.

"The asteroid is considered unique, as it appears to largely be made of the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet — one of the building blocks of our solar system," NASA officials said in the statement.

More: https://www.space.com/spacex-falcon-heavy-launching-nasa-psyche-asteroid-mission.html

[Elderberry]

NASA news: SpaceX Falcon 9 hired for asteroid Psyche mission ‘worth QUADRILLIONS’

Express By Tom Fish 3/4/2020

https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1250635/nasa-news-spacex-falcon-9-rocket-asteroid-psyche-mission-elon-musk-space-news

NASA is readying a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to asteroid Psyche worth thousands of billions of pounds worth of precious metals.

The Elon Musk-owned SpaceX will be responsible for getting the space probe launched onboard a Falcon Heavy. US-based space agency NASA wrote in a statement: “The Psyche mission will journey to a unique metal-rich asteroid, also named Psyche, which orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.

“The asteroid is considered unique, as it appears to largely be made of the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet – one of the building blocks of our solar system.”

If all goes according to plan, the audacious mission will launch next year from Florida’s Cape Canaveral.

More at link.

[Cyber Liberty]

A payload slightly more valuable than a Tesla....