SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon Heavy from Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida, USA at 1419 GMT on 13 October 2023. The vehicle was carrying Psyche. Psyche is a spacecraft that will be specifically study the metallic asteroid of the same name: 16 Psyche. The asteroid is thought to contain clues about how the Earth was created. While most asteroids are rocky, this is believed to be mainly metal.
Artist’s impression of the Psyche spacecraft around asteroid Psyche. Courtesy: NASA-JPL
One theory is that this was an early small building block of a planet. The B1064 and B1065 reusable side boosters, both on their fourth flights, both made successful landings, back at Kennedy Space Centre, on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) and Landing Zone 2 (LZ-2) respectively. The B1079 centre main stage on its first flight was flown as expendable on this launch. The spacecraft is set to reach Psyche in 2029.
Falcon Heavy launch of Psyche. Courtesy: SpaceX
Psyche launches booster rockets come back down to land. Courtesy: SpaceX
