Follow the launch of a powerful SpaceX rocket to “explore a world of metal”

In October, SpaceX will host a new Falcon Heavy rocket launch. This is a mission on behalf of NASA, to enable it to send a space exploration probe near the asteroid Psyche. This has a strong metallic surface composition, which is unusual for asteroids. The probe is scheduled to arrive in the region in 2029.

The Journey of the Heavy Falcon in Summary

• What ? NASA science mission;
• when ? October 13, 2023, 4:24 pm (Paris time);
• Or? At Kennedy Space Center in Florida;
• What will we see? Falcon Heavy rocket takes off.

Where to watch the launch of Psyché live?

The US space agency offers a live broadcast on YouTube. You can follow the snapshot With videoAlso included below:

What is SpaceX’s mission?

In 2020, NASA entrusted SpaceX with the mission of sending a probe that “will explore a world of metal.” Behind this formula is actually the asteroid Psyche, which captivates the US space agency. In fact, its surface is likely to contain large amounts of metal rather than rock or ice. This is the first exploration mission of its kind.

Falcon Heavy will be used on this flight. Today it’s SpaceX’s most powerful rocket among those in operation — and the spacecraft is still being built and made reliable. This is a Falcon 9 rocket to which the base of two other Falcon 9 rockets has been added. These two parts have the role of additional propellant, to provide more thrust.

2023 has been an exceptional year for Falcon Heavy. Since its maiden flight in 2018, this rocket launcher hasn’t had much planning. But this year, SpaceX will be flying missions. Three shootings have already occurred. The soul is the fourth. There will be another one in November. This is more than all the cumulative assignments in the past five years.

A long space journey awaits Psyche to reach the asteroid of the same name. During this transit, the machine will be especially assisted by Mars, which will act as a “slingshot” – this is gravity assist. Orbit is expected to be inserted in mid-2029, roughly six years from now. The scientific mission itself should last just under two years

For more

When will the Falcon Heavy rocket launch?

The US missile launcher’s flight is scheduled for Thursday, October 13, 2023 at 4:24 pm (Paris time). Locally it will be 10:24 a.m. on the East Coast of the United States.

Initially, the flight took place on October 12, but the weather forecast was 80 percent unfavorable, according to meteorologists with the Space Force’s 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral. SpaceX and NASA have other launch options for the coming days. The launch window won’t close until October 25th.

Subscribe for free to Artificielles, our newsletter about AI, designed by AI, and verified by Numerama!