NASA’s Psyche spacecraft has successfully reinstated full propulsion after a brief interruption earlier this year. Engineers have restored the spacecraft’s ability to stay on course toward a rare metal-rich asteroid in the main asteroid belt.

An Unexpected Pressure Drop Pauses the Mission’s Momentum

In early April 2025, the Psyche mission experienced an unexpected pause in thruster activity due to a pressure drop in the propulsion system. While the spacecraft remained stable, concerns arose regarding the timeline and precision of its deep space journey.

The mission team conducted a thorough analysis and identified a valve issue in the primary xenon line of the electric propulsion system. To address this, operations were shifted to a backup xenon line, enabling thruster activity to resume on June 16.

The Return of Steady Propulsion Secures the Flight Path to Mars and Beyond

Operating through the backup xenon line, Psyche’s electric propulsion system is now back on track. Engineers plan to maintain propulsion activity from June to November 2025 to ensure the spacecraft remains on schedule for a critical gravity-assist flyby of Mars in May 2026.

The flyby will provide the necessary velocity boost for Psyche to reach its destination in the asteroid belt, avoiding the need for trajectory recalibration.

Bob Mase, project manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, commended the team’s dedication and systematic approach, emphasizing the importance of robust spacecraft design and teamwork.

Why Xenon and Electric Thrusters Are Mission-Critical

The Psyche spacecraft relies on electric propulsion powered by ionized xenon gas for continuous thrust, crucial for long-duration missions. The recent system switch underscores the significance of redundancy and flexible engineering in spacecraft systems.

This incident also highlights NASA’s risk mitigation strategy of embedding fail-safes in mission architecture.

Psyche Remains on Schedule for 2029 Arrival

Despite the disruption, Psyche is still set to reach its asteroid target in August 2029. The spacecraft aims to study the asteroid’s surface, magnetic field, and composition to unravel its origins.

With propulsion restored, the team can focus on preparing for the scientific phase without major trajectory corrections.

Resilience and Teamwork Define Psyche’s Latest Chapter

The successful recovery from the propulsion issue showcases the importance of integrated design and teamwork in spacecraft missions. Psyche continues its journey across the solar system with a resilient team ready for any challenges ahead.