WASHINGTON — NASA is currently examining an issue with the electric propulsion system of its Psyche spacecraft, though officials have downplayed the situation as not urgent. According to a statement released on April 29 and made public the following day, the spacecraft’s electric thrusters experienced a shutdown on April 1 due to a drop in pressure in the line delivering xenon propellant.
The pressure in the propellant line fell from 36 pounds per square inch to 26 pounds per square inch, prompting the thrusters to cease operation. NASA has yet to provide details regarding the speed of the pressure drop or additional specifics related to the malfunction. Launched in October 2023, Psyche is on a mission to explore an asteroid of the same name located in the main asteroid belt. The spacecraft is scheduled to activate its Hall effect thrusters in May 2024, with a planned flyby of Mars in May 2026, ultimately reaching the asteroid in August 2029.
During a meeting with the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group on April 30, Louise Prockter, the director of NASA’s planetary science division, noted that engineers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are diligently investigating the issue. “The team at JPL is doing an excellent job isolating the source of the problem,” Prockter said. Both the electric propulsion system and the spacecraft platform were developed by what is now called Maxar Space Systems.
NASA emphasized that the Psyche spacecraft remains on a stable course and can continue its journey until mid-June without significantly affecting its trajectory. Potential remedial actions could involve switching to a backup propellant line. Prockter assured stakeholders, “We are not currently worried, but we are keeping a close watch on the situation.”
Psyche’s trajectory had been operating smoothly since its launch aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket. However, the spacecraft faced complications during its development phase, including delays in software testing that postponed its launch from August 2022. These challenges escalated the mission’s costs from an initial estimate of $1 billion to $1.2 billion.
An in-depth examination of Psyche’s earlier issues revealed broader challenges within JPL, stemming from an overwhelming workload and ineffective communication among teams. As the investigation continues, NASA remains focused on ensuring the mission’s success while navigating the complexities of space exploration.