Psyche Spacecraft Begins Continuous Thrust to Asteroid
The mission is now using ion propulsion to navigate the cruise phase, aiming to reach its asteroid target by summer 2029.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Space
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NASA's Psyche spacecraft initiated a nearly continuous phase of thruster operation on September 28, 2026, marking a key milestone in its trajectory toward the asteroid belt. The mission, which launched in October 2023, is currently utilizing its ion propulsion system to navigate toward the asteroid Psyche.
Why it matters
This mission demonstrates the practical utility of long-duration solar-electric propulsion for deep-space transit. By continuously expelling ions, NASA aims to reach the metallic asteroid by 2029 to conduct a two-year study of its composition.
The propulsion system delivers a maximum force of 250 millinewtons using electromagnetic fields to accelerate ionized xenon gas. This hardware currently enables the spacecraft to reach cruising speeds up to 100,000 mph relative to Earth.
The players
NASA
The United States government agency responsible for the civilian space program and aeronautics research.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
A federally funded research and development center that manages robotic planetary exploration missions for NASA.
The details
Psyche relies on four Hall-effect thrusters—devices that use an electric field to accelerate ions—operating one at a time to generate thrust. To maintain stable orientation, onboard software manages torque by adjusting the rotation speed of internal reaction wheels, which the thrusters help desaturate by offloading accumulated angular momentum. Two solar arrays spanning 800 square feet provide the power necessary to maintain this ion emission during the long-duration cruise.
Timeline
October 2023: The Psyche spacecraft launched from Earth.
September 28, 2026: Continuous propulsion system operation began.
Summer 2029: The spacecraft is scheduled to reach the asteroid.
The Tech Race
The Psyche mission serves as a critical test for long-duration solar-electric propulsion platforms intended for deep-space transit. It pushes the boundaries of ion thruster efficiency compared to traditional chemical rocket architectures used in previous asteroid survey missions.
The propulsion output will decrease to approximately half power over the next three months as the spacecraft moves further from the Sun. This transition tests the reliability of the solar array and ion thruster integration for future autonomous deep-space exploration.
The takeaway
The transition to continuous thrusting marks the transition from orbital maneuvering to deep-space transit for the Psyche mission. Observers should track the scheduled 2029 arrival, which will provide the first direct scientific data from the 173-mile-wide metallic asteroid.
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