NASA has launched a mission to study the asteroid 16 Psyche, a rare celestial body worth an estimated $10,000,000,000,000,000,000 due to its high concentration of valuable metals like platinum and palladium. If divided among Earth’s population, the value of the asteroid would hypothetically give each person over $1.2 billion. However, such wealth redistribution would likely collapse the global economy, emphasizing the mission’s scientific, rather than financial, goals.
The asteroid is located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, about 2.2 billion miles from Earth. NASA’s spacecraft is expected to reach Psyche by 2029. Scientists believe Psyche could be the exposed nickel-iron core of an early planet, offering a unique glimpse into the formation of planetary bodies.
While some marvel at the monetary potential of mining Psyche, NASA’s primary objective is to uncover insights into the violent collisions that shaped terrestrial planets. The agency aims to learn more about planetary cores, which are otherwise hidden beneath miles of crust on Earth.
Despite the astronomical wealth Psyche represents, it serves as a stark reminder of humanity’s focus on exploration and discovery. As NASA continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the Psyche mission is a key step toward understanding the building blocks of our solar system.
