ROCKY MOUNTAIN DISPATCH

NASA’s Psyche mission is set to launch in October 2023, and it will be the first mission to explore a metal-rich asteroid. The asteroid, named Psyche, is located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It is about 140 miles (226 kilometers) in diameter, and it is thought to be the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet. Credit: NASA The Psyche mission will use a solar-electric propulsion system to travel to the asteroid. The spacecraft will also carry a variety of scientific instruments, including a multispectral imager, a gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer, a magnetometer, and a gravity science instrument. The mission’s primary goal is to study the composition and structure of Psyche. Scientists hope to learn more about the formation of the solar system and the early history of planets. They also hope to learn more about the composition of Earth’s core. The Psyche mission is a high-risk, high-reward mission. If successful, it will provide valuable insights into the fo...

NASA is inviting the public to sign their names to a poem that will fly aboard the Europa Clipper spacecraft. The poem, written by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, is titled “In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa.” The poem will be etched onto a microchip and placed on the spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch in October 2024. Europa is a moon of Jupiter that is thought to have a vast ocean of liquid water beneath its icy surface. Scientists believe that this ocean could potentially harbor life, making Europa one of the most important targets for future exploration. The Europa Clipper mission will conduct 34 flybys of Europa, during which it will use its instruments to study the moon’s surface, atmosphere, and ocean. The mission is expected to launch in October 2024 and arrive at Jupiter in 2027. The “Message in a Bottle” campaign is a way for the public to participate in the Europa Clipper mission and to show their support for space exploration. To sign the poem, visit t...