The Psyche spacecraft separated from the SpaceX Falcon Heavy second stage. Psyche mission control has acquired the carrier wave signal, which provides real-time data prior to deployment of the spacecraft’s solar arrays and before full acquisition of signal, expected in the next few hours.
While NASA’s DSOC (Deep Space Optical Communications) – integrated on the Psyche spacecraft – will begin its demonstration in the weeks after launch, the tech demo will not relay Psyche mission data. The success of each project is evaluated independently of the other.
Live coverage of the Psyche mission continues on NASA TV, YouTube, Twitter, the NASA app, or the agency’s website. You can also follow along right here on the blog for more Psyche updates.