Guests: John Batchelor, Dr. Linda Elkins Tanton; Topics:  NASA asteroid mission to 16 Psyche.  You are invited to comment, ask questions, and discuss the Space Show program/guest(s) on the Space Show blog. Comments, questions, and any discussion must be relevant and applicable to Space Show programming. Written Transcripts of Space Show programs are not permitted without prior written consent from The Space Show (even if for personal use) & are a violation of the Space Show copyright. We do not permit the commercial use of any Space Show program or part thereof, nor do we permit Space Show programs to be edited, placed on YouTube, or other private channels & websites. Space Show programs can be quoted in news articles, papers, academic & research work but must be cited or referenced in the proper citation format. Contact Dr. Livingston for questions about our copyright and trademark policies which we do enforce.  This program is archived on The Space Show website, podcasting, and blog sites with permission from John Batchelor. Please visit the John Batchelor Show website for more information about this fine program, www.johnbatchelorshow.com.  Remember, your Amazon Purchases Can Help Support The Space Show/OGLF (www.onegiantleapfoundation.org/amazon.htm.  Please note that audio and transition issues are a result of copying the John Batchelor broadcast & are not within my control as they originate in the Batchelor studio.

Please note due to the illness of a close friend, I was unable to participate in this Hotel Mars program.

John Batchelor welcomed Dr. Linda Elkins-Tanton of Arizona State University to the program to discuss the NASA newly named Discovery mission to the all metal asteroid 16 Psyche.  During the double segment program, John and Lindy discussed the mission, the potential worth of this all metallic asteroid, the solar electric propulsion to be used for it and the instrumentation that will be on the program.  It will launch in 2023 and take five years so to avoid a high mass fuel payload.  As a result, the spacecraft is slow, more affordable and lighter.  As you will hear, it may be able to launch in 2022.  Asteroid 16 Psyche is the heaviest of the M-type asteroids.  Also, 16 Psyche might be  the exposed iron core of a protoplanet.[2] Radar observations of the asteroid from Earth indicate an iron–nickel composition.  Much was discussed about this mission and this type of asteroid so enjoy this Hotel Mars program. 

Please post comments/questions on The Space Show blog for this program.  You can email Mr. Batchelor or Dr. Elkins-Tanton through me at drspace@thespaceshow.com or through her Arizona State website page.