What is the primary objective of the NASA’s Psyche mission?a)Stu...
A NASA experiment on the Psyche spacecraft has beamed back a near-infrared laser that contains test data from almost 16 million kilometres away.
About Psyche Mission:
- It is a NASA mission that will explore a 140-mile-wide (225-kilometers) metallic asteroid called 16 Psyche.
- The spacecraft will enter the 16 Psyche asteroid's orbit in 2029 and spend two years mapping the asteroid’s topography, scanning the surface, taking pictures, and more, with the aim of gaining information about its makeup as well as learning how metal core asteroids and planets are formed.
- The objectives of the mission include determining the age of regions on the asteroid, studying its formation, characterizing its topography, and studying dips in the asteroid's gravity. Through the mission, scientists also hope to explore an unknown building block of planet formation: iron cores.
- It will also be the first time that a spacecraft will study a world made not of rocks and ice but of metal.
- With the Psyche mission, scientists have a chance to study how terrestrial planets were formed without having to carve up the Earth.
- 16 Psyche:
- It is currently orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
- It was discovered in 1852 by the Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis.
- It is made up of gold, silver, and nickel deposits, making it metal-rich.
- According to NASA, it could be worth more than Earth's economy put together.
- The outer surface of this asteroid is nickel-rich, which resembles an early planet's core.
- It is also one of the biggest asteroids in our solar system-279-km across at its widest point.
Hence option c is the correct answer.
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What is the primary objective of the NASA’s Psyche mission?a)Stu...
The primary objective of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) is to conduct and support research in space exploration, aeronautics, and related fields in order to advance scientific knowledge, technology, and innovation. NASA's main focus is on expanding human understanding of the Earth, the solar system, and the universe, as well as developing and improving space technologies for the benefit of humanity. Additionally, NASA aims to inspire and educate the public about space exploration and its potential impact on our everyday lives.