This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to the NASA website.

The launch of the mission to the asteroid of the same name “16 Psyche”, located in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, is scheduled for 2022. However, due to problems with the development of the mission, its launch was postponed to next year. This year’s mission is scheduled to be sent by SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket.

He said the mission team continues to complete tests of the spacecraft’s flight software in preparation for the new launch date.

The new flight profile looks similar to that planned for August 2022, using Mars’ gravity in 2026 to send the spacecraft to 16 Psyche asteroids.

With a launch date of October 2023, the Psyche spacecraft is expected to reach the asteroid in August 2029.

The Psyche mission is required to probe the origin of planetary cores by studying the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche. The task will be able to characterize the geology, shape and elemental composition, magnetic field and mass distribution of the “16 Psyche”. The mission is expected to improve understanding of the nebula hypothesis and the internal structure of planetary systems.

Photograph: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU