NASA Resumes Electric Propulsion for Psyche Spacecraft After Fixing Valve Issue

Nasa's Psyche Spacecraft: Overcoming Propulsion Challenges

Nuclear engineers at NASA's Psyche mission have recently achieved a significant breakthrough in resolving an issue affecting the spacecraft's propulsion system. Following a dip in fuel pressure detected in April, the team has successfully switched to a backup fuel line that is now functioning as intended.

The Psyche spacecraft, powered by two expansive solar arrays, utilizes electric thrusters which ionize and expel xenon gas to gently accelerate. This gradual acceleration is critical for its long journey to the asteroid known as Psyche. The investigation into the sudden drop in propellant pressure revealed that a malfunctioning mechanical component within one of the valves was hindering the flow of xenon gas to the thrusters.

After extensive testing and diagnostics, engineers concluded that a part of the valve was obstructing the flow, necessitating a switch to the redundant backup line. This backup line, identical to the primary, was designed into the system to ensure operational reliability. With the switch completed, the team is set to command the spacecraft's thrusters to resume operation by mid-June.

Mission Timeline and Objectives

The Psyche mission, which aims to explore the unique metal-rich asteroid thought to be the remnant of a planetesimal's core, is on schedule to reach its destination in August 2029. Launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in October 2023, the spacecraft has already traveled an impressive 628 million miles (1 billion kilometers). A crucial flyby of Mars is scheduled for May 2026, which will utilize the planet's gravity to enhance the trajectory toward Psyche.

A Reliable Path Forward

To mitigate future risks, engineers plan to keep the valve of the backup line open, ensuring continuous propellant flow and minimizing the chance of similar mechanical failures. This recent valve issue marks the first substantial challenge the Psyche mission has faced since its launch, adding complexity to a project that has already experienced significant hurdles during its development phase, including delays and a budget increase of 20%.

As the Aerospace community watches closely, the successful navigation of this propulsion crisis underlines NASA's commitment to resilience and innovation in space exploration.