NASA is investigating an issue with the electric propulsion system on its Psyche spacecraft. However, officials say it is not a major concern. The problem began on April 1 when the spacecraft’s electric thrusters shut down. This occurred after a pressure drop in the xenon propellant feed line.
Details of the Propulsion System Issue
The pressure in the feed line fell from 36 pounds per square inch (248 kilopascals) to 26 pounds per square inch (179 kilopascals). This caused the thrusters to stop working. NASA did not provide further details on the speed of the pressure drop or other specifics about the issue. However, the investigation is ongoing.
Psyche launched in October 2023 on a mission to the asteroid of the same name. The spacecraft was scheduled to turn on its Hall effect thrusters in May 2024. The mission plans to arrive at the asteroid in August 2029 after a Mars flyby in May 2026.
NASA’s Response and Timeline
Louise Prockter, director of NASA’s planetary science division, stated that teams at JPL are working to resolve the issue. “The team at JPL is doing a great job figuring out exactly which part is the problem,” Prockter said at a meeting on April 30.
NASA stated that Psyche can continue coasting until June before the problem affects its trajectory. If needed, the spacecraft could switch to a backup propellant line. This redundancy ensures that the mission can continue without significant impact.
Redundancy and Contingency Plans in Space Missions
NASA built redundancy into the Psyche mission to prevent such issues from derailing progress. “This kind of thing happens and that’s why we build redundancy into our missions,” Prockter explained. NASA assured that the issue is not currently a concern, but they are monitoring the situation closely.
Previous Challenges and Broader Context
Psyche’s development faced delays, particularly during software testing. These delays moved the launch date from August 2022 to October 2023. As a result, the mission’s cost increased from $1 billion to $1.2 billion. Despite these setbacks, the spacecraft had performed well until the recent propulsion issue.
An internal investigation revealed broader institutional challenges at JPL. The lab’s heavy workload and communication problems led to delays in the spacecraft’s development.
Looking Forward: Mission Continuity
Despite the propulsion issue, the Psyche mission remains on track. NASA is confident that the team can resolve the issue without impacting the mission’s trajectory. The spacecraft will continue its journey to study the asteroid Psyche, offering important insights into planet formation.
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