Thanks for the boost, @NASAMars!
Next stop: the asteroid Psyche. There's still a long way to go – the #MissionToPsyche spacecraft will enter orbit there in 2029. Exactly what we will find remains to be seen...
Follow along at science.nasa.gov/mission/psy… and watch this space
☑️Closest approach!
Distance: 2,800 miles
Speed: 12,300 mph
ALT Simulated view of the Psyche spacecraft, with its "wings" of solar panel arrays, passing above the surface of the planet Mars, now seen in nearly full phase.
This "gravity assist" flyby will use the Red Planet's pull to boost the spacecraft's speed and refine its trajectory on its way to explore the mysterious, metal-rich asteroid Psyche.
Details: go.nasa.gov/4tsCLPQ
Current distance from Mars: 14,450 miles
Speed: 10,710 mph
ALT Simulated view of the Psyche spacecraft, with its "wings" of solar panel arrays, approaching the planet Mars, seen in crescent phase.
NASA’s #MissionToPsyche – on its way to explore a rare, metal-rich asteroid – is about to get a speed boost from Mars. 🚀🏁
On May 15, spacecraft will harness the Red Planet’s gravitational pull as a slingshot to increase its speed and adjust its trajectory. 1/2
Right now, NASA's #MissionToPsyche is approaching Mars.
Current distance: 29,780 miles
Current speed relative to Mars: 10,340 mph
This simulated view, based on actual trajectory data, comes from our Eyes on the Solar System experience.
Ride along: eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-sys…
Tag a friend!😆
Do you know an undergrad with a passion for both space and art?🎨🚀 #PsycheInspired may be the perfect opportunity for them! Don't let them miss out on this creative internship for all majors. Application link in bio!
Calling all college creatives! 👩🎨🧑🎨
NASA's Psyche mission wants you to be part of this year’s cohort of Psyche Inspired interns. Be inspired & share the excitement of the mission with the public through artistic & creative works.
Learn more: psyche.ssl.berkeley.edu/get-…
ALT A colorful paper collage made of sharp geometric shapes and smooth curves. The Psyche spacecraft has large purple solar panels stretching diagonally across the canvas. The background features a pattern of pink and orange concentric circles surrounded by black space and glittery stars. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/Liz Phillips - Psyche Inspired
One week ago: we set sail for Jupiter's ocean moon Europa. The spacecraft is now about 2.41 million miles (3.88 million kilometers) from Earth. Next up are a series of checkouts and instrument deployments, then a flyby of Mars. All about the mission: nasa.gov/europaclipper
ALT A rocket with two side boosters rides a column of flame as it lifts off the launch pad on a sunny day. Billowing clouds of steam flow from the pad.
One week ago, we said farewell to @EuropaClipper as it began its voyage to Jupiter's ocean moon.
Status update: It's already 2.4 million miles away from Earth! 🤯
Separation confirmed!
@EuropaClipper is now sailing through space on its own, bound for the Jupiter system. This "message in a bottle" carries the names and hopes of millions, as we voyage together to search for a habitable world beyond Earth.
It's always a good idea to listen to Coach Beard. Teamwork. Belief. Curiosity. Kindness. They can take us a long way. All the way to the moons of Jupiter!
One of the Giant Magellan Telescope's completed mirrors has successfully been installed into a support system prototype for the first time. The milestone marks the start of a six-month optical testing phase to validate performance. giantmagellan.org/2024/10/15…
Leaving our water world, to explore another 🚀
@EuropaClipper launched from @NASAKennedy at 12:06pm ET (16:06 UTC) on a @SpaceX Falcon Heavy, beginning a 1.8-billion-mile journey to explore the mysteries of Europa, Jupiter’s ocean moon.
We hear you, @EuropaClipper!
The Deep Space Network in Canberra, Australia, has acquired signal. This is the first indicator that we’re communicating with the spacecraft. Next up: Full telemetry!
ALT A GIF shows an animation that depicts Earth rotating with two large dishes on opposite ends. The words Canberra, Australia, are around the top curves of the planet. The animation shows Earth move toward the left of the screen and a white wave line comes out toward a dish. A text box pops up stating "signal acquired!" and the animation ends with a NASA meatball and the words "Space Communications and Navigation" underneath it.
⚡ Power move: @EuropaClipper's solar arrays flanking the body of the spacecraft have fully unfolded. This means that the spacecraft now has a reliable source of power for the rest of its journey to Jupiter and tour of the Jovian system! go.nasa.gov/4eHSbcn
ALT A GIF shows an animation of the Europa Clipper spacecraft with its solar arrays fully deployed in space. The silver body has the blueish-gray arrays out on the left and right side and it is doing a full turn around.
Oct. 13, 2023: #MissionToPsyche launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket and began its journey to a metal-rich asteroid.🤘
The spacecraft, which will arrive at its target asteroid in 2029, is already more than 326 million miles from Earth!
ALT A graphic shows a collision between two rocky celestial bodies. The site of their collision bursts into a bright white explosive light with multiple chunks of rock flying toward the center of the image. On the right, the larger celestial body is a purplish-blue color with pockmarks and cracks rippling from the crash. On the left is the smaller celestial body in a bright yellowish color with gray rocks. Across the top in white spaced out letters is the word "Psyche" and below it in smaller white text is "Journey to a metal world."
ALT A graphic showing the orbital path of the Psyche spacecraft with the sun right in the center of several different colored circles. A grayish white semi-circle shows the surface lighting based on degrees ranging from 90% at the top and going down 10% until it reaches 60%. The percentages climb up again to 90% and go down to 60% a second time. On the inside is an orange circle around the Sun, showing the Psyche asteroid's path. A purple line shows the orbital path of the Psyche spacecraft, starting from Earth in October 2023 and then looping toward Mars for a gravity assist in May 2026 and then circling back around to meet the Psyche asteroid in August 2029. A red dotted line along the purple Psyche spacecraft path also shows the Deep Space Optical Communications experiment aboard the spacecraft. One more icon along the orange Psyche path shows the end of operations in November 2031.
Live: Could Jupiter's ocean moon Europa have conditions favorable for supporting life? Hear directly from scientists working to answer that question with our @EuropaClipper mission, set to launch Oct. 14. youtube.com/live/ncMrvfA2LB0
ALT Illustration of Europa Clipper spacecraft flying above the surface of Jupiter's moon Europa. The large gas giant planet Jupiter, with swirls of color and the Great Red Spot seen, appears in the background. The spacecraft appears small and bright with solar arrays extended on each side. Europa's surface is frozen ice. Credit: NASA JPL
Oct. 13, 2023: #MissionToPsyche launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket and began its journey to a metal-rich asteroid.🤘
The spacecraft, which will arrive at its target asteroid in 2029, is already more than 326 million miles from Earth!
ALT A graphic shows a collision between two rocky celestial bodies. The site of their collision bursts into a bright white explosive light with multiple chunks of rock flying toward the center of the image. On the right, the larger celestial body is a purplish-blue color with pockmarks and cracks rippling from the crash. On the left is the smaller celestial body in a bright yellowish color with gray rocks. Across the top in white spaced out letters is the word "Psyche" and below it in smaller white text is "Journey to a metal world."
ALT A graphic showing the orbital path of the Psyche spacecraft with the sun right in the center of several different colored circles. A grayish white semi-circle shows the surface lighting based on degrees ranging from 90% at the top and going down 10% until it reaches 60%. The percentages climb up again to 90% and go down to 60% a second time. On the inside is an orange circle around the Sun, showing the Psyche asteroid's path. A purple line shows the orbital path of the Psyche spacecraft, starting from Earth in October 2023 and then looping toward Mars for a gravity assist in May 2026 and then circling back around to meet the Psyche asteroid in August 2029. A red dotted line along the purple Psyche spacecraft path also shows the Deep Space Optical Communications experiment aboard the spacecraft. One more icon along the orange Psyche path shows the end of operations in November 2031.
Picture this: what might exist below Europa's surface? If you know creative kids, encourage them to submit to our new art challenge. Entries submitted by Sept. 30 may be featured online or during the launch broadcast in October! Get the full picture: go.nasa.gov/ArtChallenge
ALT A promotional image for the 'Europa Kids Art Challenge' featuring a cosmic background filled with deep purples and oranges, resembling a nebula. In the foreground, there is an artistic representation of Jupiter's moon Europa, with a cracked and textured surface. A space probe with solar panels is positioned near the bottom right, suggesting exploration. The text 'Europa Kids Art Challenge' is written in bold, white letters, standing out against the colorful space backdrop. A smaller depiction of Jupiter is partially visible in the top right corner.
ALT A child's drawing showing the interior ocean of Europa populated with a large pink octopus, jellyfish, and a robotic probe in the water. Above the ocean is a cutaway view of Europa's icy crust with erupting geysers. Jupiter and a starry black sky are visible beyond.
ALT A child's drawing showing the interior ocean of Europa populated with black, toothy deep sea creatures. Above the ocean is a cutaway view of Europa's icy crust with erupting geysers. Jupiter and a starry black sky are visible beyond.
Manufacturing and assembly of the largest telescope mount built in the US has begun. The 39-meter-tall structure will be built over the next 6 years before being shipped to the Giant Magellan Telescope site in Chile for reassembly. giantmagellan.org/2024/08/28…
This year's 20 challenges are here team formation is open. 💻👩🚀👨🚀✨
Explore challenge summaries for all skill levels, crafted by @NASA SMEs on heliophysics, exoplanets, climate, & more for your #SpaceApps team: bit.ly/4duu6Fy
Full challenge statements Sept. 12!
ALT Collage of images pertaining to the challenges on a dark blue background. 20 in large yellow letters, with challenges just below in smaller yellow letters inside of a light blue rectangle. NASA Space Apps logo in bottom left with spaceappschallenge.org just below in white letters. Choose your challenge and form a team today! in bottom right in white letters.
Europa just keeps getting more intriguing...
Learn about the ingredients for life that may exist at this moon of Jupiter, and how our mission will investigate them: europa.nasa.gov/why-europa/i…
Results from new experiments suggest that if the oceans of Europa or Enceladus support life, signs of that life, in the form of organic molecules, could survive just under the surface ice despite exposure to harsh radiation. go.nasa.gov/3YcRG4H
ALT This view of Jupiter's icy moon Europa was captured by JunoCam, the public engagement camera aboard NASA's Juno spacecraft, during the mission's close flyby on Sept. 29, 2022. The picture is a composite of JunoCam's second, third, and fourth images taken during the flyby, as seen from the perspective of the fourth image. North is to the left. The images have a resolution of just over 0.5 to 2.5 miles per pixel (1 to 4 kilometers per pixel). As with our Moon and Earth, one side of Europa always faces Jupiter, and that is the side of Europa visible here. Europa's surface is crisscrossed by fractures, ridges, and bands, which have erased terrain older than about 90 million years. Citizen scientist Kevin M. Gill processed the images to enhance the color and contrast.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS Image processing: Kevin M. Gill CC BY 3.0