On 28 February, NASA formally awarded a launch contract to SpaceX for the use of its large Falcon Heavy launch vehicle to carry its Psyche mission into space. Under the US$117 million contract, the Psyche asteroid exploration mission launch will take place form the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida in July 2020. The Discovery-class mission will employ a Mars flyby in 2023 on its way to the asteroid belt before it goes into orbit around its target largely metallic asteroid also called Psyche.
The Falcon Heavy proves that a 27 engine lift off is viable. Courtesy: SpaceX
