XPost: talk.politics.misc, alt.space, alt.politics.usa

shttps://scitechdaily.com/signal-acquired-nasas-psyche-spacecraft-begins-its-epic-journey-of-discovery/

The Psyche spacecraft, headed to the asteroid Psyche, has
successfully initiated its solar-powered propulsion. During
its six-year journey, it will utilize advanced optical
communication via NASA’s DSOC and is expected to orbit the
asteroid by 2029.

Psyche mission controllers on Earth have received full
acquisition of signal from the spacecraft, and the solar
arrays are fully deployed. The spacecraft will be propelled
by solar electric propulsion. The five-panel, cross-shaped
solar arrays provide around 800 square feet of solar
collecting surface and make the spacecraft about the size of
a singles tennis court when fully deployed.

The solar arrays will produce more than 20 kilowatts of power
when the spacecraft is near Earth, but they will generate
just over 2 kilowatts of power – just a little more power than
a hair dryer – when it reaches the asteroid Psyche, which is
far away from the Sun. However, this will be more than enough

. . .

The spacecraft was launched on a Falcon Heavy Friday.
Thank you Space-X

The actual asteroid Psyche has been identified as having
an unusually large amount of metals - estimates run from
60-80 percent of its mass (probably radar reflection data).
Some speculate that is is the core of a mini-planet that
was forming, but then got smashed in an impact.

Naturally, besides being a curiosity, future human activities
near Mars and in the asteroid belt could employ metals mined
from Psyche. But, before that, the scientific examination.

There are two innovative features to the spacecraft. The
first is its new-gen ion engine. Not gigantic thrust but
thrust that can be maintained long-term ... that adds up.

Musk's Starlink sats have small ion thrusters. At least
one Japanese asteroid probe also used ion propulsion.
This seems an up-and-coming propulsion method. While human
space endeavours usually require getting there and back
quickly (limits in supplies, radiation exposure, patience)
a probe can take its lazy time.

The second trick is what's essentially a laser-based
networking connection with Earth. The tight beam allows
good efficiency and the connection will also be much
faster than conventional radio connection. I hope they
did include a back-up radio system however :-)

(We almost lost one of the old Voyager probes a couple
of months ago because somebody slightly mis-aligned its
radio antenna. Only by using a very high-powered transmitter
were we able to get back in touch and fix the alignment.
So, alternate comm methods are a must on any probe)

As a Heavy was needed for launch, this is clearly a large
massive probe. It will do a lot more than send home a few
quick snapshots.

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