NASA's Psyche Mission Aims to Unravel Mysteries of Metallic Asteroid

Sophisticated simulations help predict what the spacecraft will find when it arrives at the unique 16 Psyche asteroid in 2029.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:53pm

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NASA's Psyche mission, slated to arrive at the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche in 2029, promises to finally unravel the mysteries surrounding this unique celestial body. Unlike most asteroids composed of rock or ice, Psyche is primarily metallic, leading scientists to believe it could be a remnant of a shattered planet's core. Researchers at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory have been using sophisticated simulations to understand how craters on Psyche's surface formed, helping make predictions about the asteroid's composition and interior structure.

Why it matters

The Psyche mission represents a significant leap forward in asteroid exploration, paving the way for future missions focused on understanding the building blocks of planets. Studying Psyche's metallic composition could provide valuable insights into the chaotic early days of our solar system and the formation of planetary cores.

The details

The asteroid, the 10th most massive in the asteroid belt and measuring approximately 140 miles in diameter, presents several intriguing possibilities. Was it once the core of a protoplanet torn apart by collisions? Or is it a fragment of a layered body that lost its rocky shell? Perhaps it formed as a metal-rich object from the beginning, or became a mix of rock and metal through repeated impacts. The simulations tested two main interior structures: a layered structure with a metallic core and a rocky mantle, and a uniform mixture of metal and silicate. Interestingly, the crater formation was consistent with both scenarios.

  • The Psyche spacecraft is scheduled to arrive at the asteroid in 2029.
  • The simulations were published in JGR Planets.

The players

Psyche

A unique asteroid in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter that is primarily metallic, unlike most asteroids composed of rock or ice.

NASA's Psyche Mission

A mission led by Arizona State University, with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory managing operations, that aims to explore the origin of planetary cores by studying the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche.

Namya Baijal

A doctoral candidate and lead author of the study simulating crater formation on Psyche's surface.

Erik Asphaug

A professor at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and co-author of the study simulating crater formation on Psyche's surface.

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What they’re saying

“Large impact basins excavate deep into the asteroid, giving us clues about what its interior is made of. By simulating crater formation, we can make predictions about Psyche's overall composition.”

— Namya Baijal, Doctoral Candidate

“One of our main findings was that the porosity plays a significant role in how these craters form. Porosity is often ignored because it's demanding to include in models, but our simulations show it can strongly affect the impact process and shape of craters left behind.”

— Namya Baijal, Doctoral Candidate

“We can't get to the cores of Earth, Mars, or Venus, but maybe we can get to the core of an early asteroid.”

— Erik Asphaug, Professor

“When the spacecraft arrives at Psyche in a few years, the geochemists, geologists and modelers on the team will all be looking at the same object and trying to interpret what we see. This work gives us a head start.”

— Erik Asphaug, Professor

What’s next

The Psyche spacecraft is equipped with instruments to measure the asteroid's surface, gravity, magnetic field, and composition. Beyond crater shapes, the simulations predict other features scientists will seem for, such as density variations and the distribution of metal-rich debris.

The takeaway

The Psyche mission represents a significant leap forward in asteroid exploration, paving the way for future missions focused on understanding the building blocks of planets. The use of detailed simulations will become increasingly common, incorporating more complex factors to provide more accurate predictions about asteroid composition and structure.