The Psyche interplanetary station has sent back the first photos from space on its way to an asteroid between Mars and Jupiter

On 13 October 2023, NASA sent the Psyche interplanetary space station into space. Less than two months after launch, it sent back its first photos.

Here's What We Know

Psyche is equipped with two multispectral cameras to identify minerals and metals on the asteroid. The 68 images were taken to calibrate and check the performance of the interplanetary station's instruments. Below you can see the star field in the constellation of Pisces.

The probe's arrival in space allowed scientists to test the magnetometer. The interplanetary station flew several million kilometres away from Earth, and now the work of the super-sensitive instrument is not affected by the magnetic flight of our planet. It will be responsible for monitoring space weather by picking up coronal mass ejections on the Sun.

Last month, experts successfully launched two of Psyche's four ion engines. The interplanetary station became the first spacecraft in history to use Hall-effect propulsion in deep space. NASA has also established communication via laser link.

Psyche is heading towards the asteroid of the same name, which is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. In 2026, two multispectral cameras will be re-launched during its approach to the Red Planet.

The interplanetary station will begin the bulk of its mission in 2029. Scientists anticipate that studying the asteroid will allow them to better understand what the core inside the Earth is like.

Source: NASA