NASA shares new details on ‘Psyche’ mission to study metal-rich asteroid

This browser does not support the video element.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — NASA is sharing new details about a planned mission to study a distant asteroid.

WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

NASA is teaming up with SpaceX to launch the Psyche mission to study a metal-rich asteroid.

The Psyche asteroid is orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Watch: SpaceX’s Crew-6 astronauts return safely to Earth after splashdown off Florida’s coast

SpaceX crews are planning to launch the Psyche spacecraft from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on October 5.

NASA officials said this will be the first spacecraft to study an asteroid that is primarily made of metal, and not rock or ice.

SEE: To boldly go: NASA reveals new spacesuits for planned Moon landing mission

Geologists believe the space rock was once part of the metallic core of a planet.

Channel 9 will continue to follow NASA’s Psyche mission and provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Read: NASA spacecraft around moon spots likely crash site of Russia’s lost lunar lander

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.