2021 AIAA Conference Psyche Journey to a Metal Planet CL23_6686.pdf
- 1. Psyche: Journal to a Metal World William Hart, California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory 16 December 2023 2023 AIAA SATC Technical Gathering Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply its endorsement by the United States Government or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. © 2023 California Institute of Technology. Government
- 2. 2 What is (16) Psyche? • Discovered in 1852 (Naples) • 10th largest asteroid (largest M-type) • a = 2.92 AU, e = 0.140, i = 3.09 deg • Relatively easy access with solar electric propulsion (SEP) • Rotation period: 4.2 hours • High radar albedo • High density • High thermal inertia (120 tiu) • Spectra: 10% silicate, 90% metal • Strong testable hypothesis • “Is (16) Psyche the exposed core of larger differentiated body?” • “Was (16) Psyche created by a slow accretion of metal-rich material?” Image Credit: Peter Rubin/ASU Whatever hypothesis is determined, results would be scientifically significant All material and information herein is subject to the statements at the bottom of the title
- 3. 3 Psyche Mission Concept • Three instruments, one technology demonstration • Spacecraft bus fusion of two partners: • Space Systems/Loral (SSL) • Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) • Leverages key strengths of each partner • Electric propulsion, high power S/C (SSL) • Deep space communications, autonomy (JPL) 2.4 m + Y + X + Z Magnetomete r Sensors Imagers 2.4m 3.1 m + Y + X + Z Gamma Ray and Neutron Spectrometer Deep Space Optical Communication All material and information herein is subject to the statements at the bottom of the title
- 4. 4 Project Timeline • 2013: • Initial concept studies, JPL A-Team • 2014: • Discovery #14 AO announced • More detailed studies, initial RFIs • 2015/2016: • Psyche one of five projects downselected per Step 1 • Step 2 Proposal efforts, refinement of design, RFPs • 2017: • Psyche, Lucy selected as part of Step 2 • 2018/2019: • Phase B/C • Project PDR • 2020: • Project CDR, subsystem construction and testing • 2021-2023: • Project SIR • Phase D, system assembly, integration and All material and information herein is subject to the statements at the bottom of the title
- 5. 5 Baseline Mission Design • Dawn-like mission design • Launch from KSC • Mars Flyby (500 km) • Min Solar Range: 1.0 AU • Max Solar Range: 3.33 AU • Cruise: 5.9 Years (70 months) • Orbital Operations: 27 months All material and information herein is subject to the statements at the bottom of the title
- 6. 6 Baseline Mission Design All material and information herein is subject to the statements at the bottom of the title • Orbital operations consists of four orbits • Parameters designated to fit L1 science requirements • Orbit sequence determined by lighting of 16 Psyche Orbit Alt (km) Inc (deg) A 709 90 B1/B2 303 90 C 190 90 D 75 160
- 7. 7 Orbital Ops Phase: Trajectory View All material and information herein is subject to the statements at the bottom of the title
- 8. 8 October 13, 2023: Launch! All material and information herein is subject to the statements at the bottom of the title
- 9. 9 Where is Psyche now? • Two ways to keep track of Psyche’s progress visually: • NASA’s Eyes on the Solar System (eyes.nasa.gov) • JPL’s Solar System Simulator (space.jpl.nasa.gov/psyche_now/) • Psyche mission website • https://science.nasa.gov/mission/psyche/ • Psyche mission blog • https://medium.com/the-nasa-psyche-mission-journey-to-a- metal-world All material and information herein is subject to the statements at the bottom of the title
- 10. 10 What’s happened/What’s next • Already achieved a couple of firsts • First firing of Hall Effect thrusters beyond Earth’s SOI • First use of optical comm beyond Earth orbit (DSOC) • Cruise Phase begins Jan 2024 • Periodic calibrations, DSOC comm testing through 2024, 2025 • Mars flyby in 2026 • Arrival, orbital operations in 2029 All material and information herein is subject to the statements at the bottom of the title
- 11. All material and information herein is subject to the statements at the bottom of the title Questions?