Scientists Investigating Whether Object NASA Is Approaching Is Core of Destroyed Planet

An international team published simulations in JGR Planets to test 16 Psyche’s possible interior structures.

The team modeled crater formation and found porosity strongly changes crater depth and slope.

Simulations show a ~3-mile impactor could produce one of Psyche’s large craters, consistent with both a metallic core and a mixed interior.

NASA launched the Psyche spacecraft in October 2023, which is due to arrive at the asteroid in roughly 3.5 years.