Psyche is traveling to a unique metal-rich asteroid orbiting between Mars and Jupiter that may be the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planetary building block (planetesimal). Powered by high-efficiency solar electric propulsion, Psyche will determine whether the asteroid is an exposed core, an unmelted primordial body, or a remnant of extreme impacts.
| Sensor | Subsystem | Scientific Measurement Function | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multispectral Imager | Dual Framing Cameras |
Geologic, topographic, and metallic vs silicate surface mapping.
|
Active |
| GRNS | Gamma-Ray & Neutron Spectrometer |
Elemental composition detector for iron, nickel, silicon, and potassium.
|
Active |
| Magnetometer | Dual Fluxgate Sensors |
Detects remnant magnetic field if Psyche once generated a core dynamo.
|
Active |
| DSOC | Deep Space Optical Communications |
Near-infrared laser communications testing data rates 100x higher than radio.
|
Tested |