NASA launches Psyche mission destined for asteroid 2 billion miles away
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By WFTV.com News Staff
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA and SpaceX launched its Psyche mission on Friday aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
The spacecraft will travel about 2.2 billion miles during its nearly six-year journey, and If all goes as planned, asteroid Psyche’s gravity will capture the spacecraft in late July 2029.
SpaceX Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters will land on SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, and as they return, many could hear double sonic booms Friday.
Stay with Eyewitness News for updates on the launch and live coverage on wftv.com.
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on February 6, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket is the most powerful rocket in the world and is carrying a Tesla Roadster into orbit.
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket sits on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center as it is prepared for lift-off on February 5, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket sits on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center as it is prepared for lift-off on February 5, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket sits on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center as it is prepared for lift-off on February 5, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket sits on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center as it is prepared for lift-off on February 5, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket sits on launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center as it is prepared for lift-off on February 5, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on February 6, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket is the most powerful rocket in the world and is carrying a Tesla Roadster into orbit.
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket flies into space from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on February 6, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on February 6, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket is the most powerful rocket in the world and is carrying a Tesla Roadster into orbit.
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on February 6, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Two of the boosters liftoff at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station after the launch of SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on February 6, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on February 6, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifts off from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center on February 6, 2018 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket is the most powerful rocket in the world and is carrying a Tesla Roadster into orbit.
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