NASA’s Psyche spacecraft is all set to embark on an exciting mission on Thursday, October 12, and the best part is that the public is invited to be a part of it! This remarkable spacecraft will be studying a metal-rich asteroid called Psyche, which is situated in the outer part of the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Scientists are particularly intrigued by this asteroid because they believe it may be connected to the core of a planetesimal, providing valuable insights into planetary cores and ultimately shedding light on the formation of our own planet, Earth. To carry out this mission, the spacecraft will be launched at 10:16 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, using a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
However, the Psyche mission is not limited to scientific exploration alone. It will also host a groundbreaking technology demonstration known as Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC), which aims to test laser communications beyond the Moon. This remarkable feat will push the boundaries of communications technology and potentially revolutionize how we communicate in future space missions.
To make this experience inclusive and accessible, the public can register to attend the launch virtually and receive curated resources, schedule changes, and mission-specific information via email. Moreover, attendees will also receive a commemorative stamp for their virtual guest passports following each virtual activity.
For those eager to witness the launch, the live broadcast will commence at 9:30 a.m. EDT on Thursday, October 12. The launch can be viewed on various platforms, including YouTube, X, Facebook, Twitch, the NASA app, www.nasa.gov/nasatv, and NASA’s UHD Channel.
To stay updated on the latest developments and learn more about the Psyche mission, interested individuals can visit the official NASA website at https://www.nasa.gov/psyche. This is truly an exciting opportunity for the public to engage with space exploration and be a part of a groundbreaking mission. Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
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