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Golden Asteroid Worth More Than Earth’s Entire Economy Is Being Visited
By NASA
NASA is sending a spacecraft to a golden asteroid that might be a rogue
planetary core.

By Charlene Badasie | Published 3 days ago

asteroids, earth
NASA is planning a mission to explore a golden asteroid called 16 Psyche
that is believed to be worth more than the entire global economy. The
asteroid, which is valued at $10,000 quadrillion, is a heavy-metal
object that could contain a core of iron, nickel, and gold. The mission
was initially slated for August 2022 but was delayed due to
institutional issues at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Now that the problems are resolved, the 280 million-mile voyage to the
golden asteroid is expected to launch between October 5 and 25 from the
Kennedy Space Center in Florida. “The independent review board is
extraordinarily impressed by the accomplishments of the total JPL
organization and Caltech,” a report from JPL said via CHRON.

The report added that “Engagement in and leadership of the overall
response process by the JPL director and senior leadership is deemed
world class.” Psyche, named after the Greek Goddess of the soul, was
discovered in 1852 by the Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis. The
golden asteroid orbits the sun in the region between Mars and Jupiter.

Astronomers say the golden asteroid’s shape resembles that of a potato
and is approximately 140 miles wide. Scientists believe that Psyche
might be the exposed metallic core of a “planetesimal or a nascent
planet” that underwent violent collisions, shedding its rocky outer
layers during the early stages of our solar system’s formation.

asteroids
NASA’s upcoming mission would mark a significant milestone as it would
be the first-ever exploration of a celestial body rich in metallic
elements. Anticipated to arrive at the golden asteroid in August 2029,
the spacecraft will orbit around the golden asteroid for 26 months. The
study of 16 Psyche holds great significance as it may provide insights
into planetary formation processes.

Additionally, 16 Psyche presents a unique chance to study an exposed
planetary core up close. If the golden asteroid’s origins align with
current theories, analyzing it could provide valuable information about
the composition and characteristics of planetary cores. The mission’s
objectives include examining other geological aspects, such as its
magnetic field and mass distribution.

Furthermore, the data collected from the mission will contribute to a
better understanding of the solar system’s formation and the role
asteroids play within it. Interestingly, the golden asteroid is not the
only valuable rock in space. NASA previously said the asteroid belt
between Mars and Jupiter contains an abundance of minerals, with an
estimated value of $100 billion for each person on Earth.

However, the real challenge lies in the extraction of these precious
metals from each asteroid and safely transporting them back to our
planet. The golden asteroid’s abundance of precious metals makes it an
enticing target for potential mining operations, further emphasizing its
significance in terms of economic and resource exploration.

Meanwhile, NASA says the total mission costs for visiting the golden
asteroid are $985 million. A sum of $717 million has already been spent
on the project as of July 2022. The mission team is currently carrying
out the final stages of spacecraft flight software testing, ensuring its
readiness for the scheduled launch in October.

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