NASA's Psyche Mission: Exploring a Metal-Rich Asteroid and the Potential for Astronomical Wealth

NASA's Psyche mission successfully launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, heading towards the metal-rich asteroid Psyche. The spacecraft will study the asteroid's composition and formation of rocky planets, while also testing Deep Space Optical Communications technology. The mission will undergo a commissioning phase and is expected to reach the asteroid in 2029. The use of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy marks a first for NASA, as it is the first time the launcher has been entrusted with the agency's "most complex and highest priority missions." The reliance on SpaceX highlights the limited options for Western launch providers, as other companies face delays and supply issues.