Ready To Be A Billionaire? NASA Mission ‘Psyche’ Can Do That!
Do you remember “Who wants to be a millionaire”? Well, it is more like a billionaire instead now! Well, kind of. In theory, NASA is launching a new project that could potentially make everyone on the planet a billionaire. The NASA Mission ‘Psyche’ is expected to crash the economic market in its entirety if made possible. However, there are quirks and perks one can expect from the mission as well. Here is what NASA has in mind.
NASA Mission ‘Psyche’
NASA has started a mission to investigate the intriguing metal-rich asteroid known as 16 Psyche, situated in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. This asteroid is believed to be composed of valuable materials such as iron, nickel, and gold, and its estimated total worth is an astounding $10,000 quadrillion (or £8,000 quadrillion). The space agency successfully launched a rocket on October 13th, to unravel the mysteries of this celestial body. If the mission proves successful and the resources on 16 Psyche can be utilized, it could potentially lead to unprecedented wealth and scientific discoveries.
NASA reports that the potato-shaped asteroid has an average diameter of approximately 140 miles (226 kilometers), roughly one-sixteenth the diameter of Earth’s Moon or the same as the distance between Los Angeles and San Diego.
When Did the Mission Launch?
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab has confirmed the successful completion of comprehensive flight software testing for the Psyche spacecraft, clearing the way for its upcoming launch at 10:38 a.m. EDT on Thursday, October 5, 2023. The spacecraft is set to be launched by a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Centre.
Fun Facts About the ‘Psyche’ Mission
Here are some facts about the billionaire-making asteroid:
- What is the asteroid named after?
Psyche, an asteroid, was first spotted by Italian astronomer Annibale de Gasparis on March 17, 1852. It was named after Psyche, the Greek goddess of the soul, who was originally a mortal and later married Eros, the Roman god of Love.
- Why is this asteroid so expensive?
While most asteroids are typically rocky or icy in composition, 16 Psyche is believed to be a unique metallic asteroid, potentially the core of a long-dead planet. If its resources were evenly distributed, it could theoretically make every person on Earth a billionaire.
- What is a ‘Psyche’ Day?
The asteroid Psyche has a relatively long orbit around the Sun, taking about five Earth years to complete one orbit. However, it rotates on its own axis much faster, with a Psyche “day” lasting just over four hours.
The Downside of Worldwide Billionaires
The successful mining of the asteroid by the NASA Mission ‘Psyche’ could potentially make every person on Earth a billionaire. However, this would have catastrophic consequences for the global economy, akin to a worldwide lottery win. Fortunately, NASA Mission ‘Psyche’ does not aim for asteroid mining. Instead, it seeks to gain insights into planetary cores and the formation of planets. Additionally, the space agency’s primary objective is to learn more about these aspects rather than exploit the asteroid’s resources.
What is the first thing you would do with your money if you got the chance to become a billionaire?
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