Hypothesized Surface: ISRU for Hypothesized Surfaces – RIT – A
“NASA Psyche Capstone: In-Site Resource Utilization for Hypothesized Surfaces”
INSTITUTION
Rochester Institute of Technology
CLASS
Tungsten Class (2023 – 2024)
STUDENT TEAM
Alex Nestor, Mechanical Engineering
Anthony Smith, Mechanical Engineering
Eliya Fischev, Computer Engineering
Anthony Smith, Mechanical Engineering
Eliya Fischev, Computer Engineering
Madeleine Goulet, Biomedical Engineering
Max Wolbeck, Mechanical Engineering
William Z. Tom, Computer Engineering
Max Wolbeck, Mechanical Engineering
William Z. Tom, Computer Engineering
ACADEMIC GUIDANCE
Dr. Alexander Loui
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Psyche asteroid is a metal-rich asteroid orbiting the Sun at 235-309 million miles. This asteroid is of interest due to its partially metallic composition, indicating that it may be the remnants of an early planetary core. Planetary cores have never been able to be studied before, so this would provide novel insight into planetary composition and accretion. NASA launched the Psyche spacecraft on October 13, 2023, to orbit Psyche in mid-2029. Our project will allow a potential future mission to collect samples from the surface of the asteroid and store them safely for future analysis.
