NASA is looking into an issue with its electric propulsion system on the Psyche asteroid spacecraft, but officials say it’s not currently a major concern. The problem occurred when pressure in one of the lines that feeds xenon propellant to the thrusters dropped from 36 pounds per square inch to 26 pounds per square inch, causing the thrusters to shut down on April 1.
The Psyche spacecraft, launched in October 2023, is currently undergoing a study at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Director of NASA’s planetary science division Louise Prockter said that teams are working to identify the source of the issue and find solutions. One possible fix could be switching to a backup propellant line.
Despite this issue, Psyche can continue to coast until mid-June before it starts affecting its trajectory. The investigation is part of a broader effort to address problems that plagued the spacecraft during development, including software testing delays and cost overruns.
Source: https://spacenews.com/nasa-investigating-problem-with-psyche-electric-thrusters