"Exploring the Valuable Metal World: NASA's Psyche Mission Faces Weather Delays"
The asteroid 16 Psyche, targeted by NASA's upcoming Psyche mission, is estimated to be worth $100,000 quadrillion due to its potential metallic composition. While the exact metal is unknown, scientists believe it could be made mostly of nickel and iron. Despite its astronomical value, there are currently no plans to mine Psyche due to its distance and the associated costs. However, companies like AstroForge are already planning asteroid mining missions, with smaller asteroids being the initial targets. In addition to metals, asteroids could also provide resources like water for rocket fuel and valuable metals like platinum. The mission to Psyche will provide valuable insights into M-type asteroids and help prepare for future asteroid mining endeavors.
