NASA’s Psyche fires up its thrusters! How will it unlock a metal asteroid’s secrets?

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft began using its electric propulsion system nearly continuously on September 28, 2026, accelerating toward a metal-rich asteroid of the same name. Its solar-powered Hall-effect thrusters use electromagnetic fields to accelerate and expel charged xenon ions, producing a bright blue glow and up to 250 millinewtons of thrust, roughly the force you feel holding an AA battery. Only one of its four thrusters operates at a time, but sustained thrust gradually builds up the spacecraft’s speed, which is expected to exceed 100,000 mph relative to Earth. Following a successful Mars gravity assist in May 2026, Psyche is on track to reach the asteroid in summer 2029. By mapping its surface and investigating its composition and magnetic properties, the mission could reveal clues about planetary cores and the interiors of rocky planets like Earth. Video credit: NASA / NASA JPL, GettyImages, AI generated visuals (Google Gemini & Chatgpt)