NASA’s Janus asteroid mission has been put on hold after a launch delay rendered the twin probes’ target systems inaccessible. Originally scheduled to launch in August 2022 alongside the larger Psyche spacecraft, the Janus probes were postponed due to issues with Psyche’s flight software. Although the Psyche team has resolved the problem and is now on track for an October launch, the 14-month delay has resulted in a changed trajectory that prevents the Janus probes from reaching their intended science targets – two binary near-Earth asteroid systems. As a result, NASA has decided to halt further work on the Janus mission and prepare the probes for storage, with the possibility of future funding enabling their utilization.
The Janus mission is part of NASA’s SIMPLEx program, which aims to achieve significant scientific results using small and cost-effective spacecraft that launch as “rideshares” on rockets carrying larger primary payloads. While the Psyche spacecraft has a mass of about 1,400 kilograms, each Janus probe weighs just 36 kg. Additionally, the total cost of the Psyche mission is $985 million, while SIMPLEx projects are capped at $55 million each. These lower-cost missions provide a platform for technical and architectural innovation, contributing to NASA’s research and technology development objectives.
The Psyche mission, which will study the metallic asteroid Psyche in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, could provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of rocky planets. The 140-mile-wide metal-rich object is believed to be the partial core of a shattered planetesimal, offering a close look at the interior of terrestrial planets like Earth. If all goes according to plan, the Psyche probe will reach its destination in August 2029. Had it launched last summer, the spacecraft would have arrived at Psyche in 2026, allowing the Janus probes to perform flybys of binary asteroid systems on March 3 and April 20 of that year.
While the Janus mission may be on hold, NASA continues to pursue other space exploration endeavors, with the Psyche mission set to provide valuable data about the mysterious asteroid Psyche.
What caused the delay in the launch of NASA’s Janus asteroid mission and how did it impact the trajectory of the Janus probes?
NASA’s Janus asteroid mission has hit a roadblock after a launch delay prevented the twin probes from reaching their intended targets. Originally scheduled for August 2022, the Janus probes were delayed due to issues with the flight software of the larger Psyche spacecraft. Although the Psyche team has resolved the problem and is now set for an October launch, the 14-month delay has altered the trajectory of the Janus probes, making their science targets inaccessible. Consequently, NASA has decided to suspend further work on the Janus mission and prepare the probes for storage, with the possibility of future funding allowing for their utilization.
The Janus mission is part of NASA’s SIMPLEx program, which focuses on achieving significant scientific results through small and cost-effective spacecraft that launch alongside larger primary payloads. While the Psyche spacecraft weighs about 1,400 kilograms, each Janus probe is only 36 kg. Additionally, the total cost of the Psyche mission is $985 million, while SIMPLEx projects are limited to $55 million each. These lower-cost missions encourage technical and architectural innovation, supporting NASA’s research and technology development objectives.
The Psyche mission, which aims to study the metallic asteroid Psyche located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, could offer valuable insights into the formation and evolution of rocky planets. Measuring approximately 140 miles wide, this metal-rich object is believed to be the remnants of a shattered planetesimal’s core, providing a unique opportunity to examine the interior of terrestrial planets like Earth. If all goes as planned, the Psyche probe will reach its destination in August 2029. If it had launched last year, the spacecraft would have arrived at Psyche in 2026, allowing the Janus probes to perform flybys of binary asteroid systems on March 3 and April 20 of that year.
Despite the setback with the Janus mission, NASA remains committed to pursuing other space exploration efforts. The Psyche mission, in particular, holds promise in providing valuable data about the enigmatic asteroid Psyche.
