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Psyche

by NASAUS

Visit a world that may be the exposed metal core of an early planet, to learn how rocky planets like Earth formed their iron cores, which we can never reach directly.

DeployStage 4 of 5

Past its May 2026 Mars flyby, cruising on electric thrusters; reaches asteroid Psyche in August 2029.

Updated 15 May 2026Checked 11 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · Arrival and orbit insertion at Psyche
  1. Selected for NASA's Discovery program4 Jan 2017Complete.
  2. Launch on Falcon Heavy13 Oct 2023+21 mooriginally 2022Complete.
  3. Laser link streams video from 31 million km11 Dec 2023Complete.
  4. Switch to backup propellant line; thrusting resumes16 Jun 2025Complete.
  5. Mars gravity-assist flyby15 May 2026Complete.
  6. Arrival and orbit insertion at PsycheTarget Aug 2029+43 mooriginally Jan 2026Current milestone.
  7. End of prime mission (about 26 months in orbit)Target Nov 2031Not yet reached.

Most important updates

Upcoming

  1. Aug 2029Arrival and orbit insertion at Psyche+43 mooriginally Jan 2026in about 146 weeks (next)
  2. Nov 2031End of prime mission (about 26 months in orbit)
Primer