NASA's Psyche mission, en route to a metallic asteroid, experienced a propellant line malfunction in April, causing thruster shutdown. After investigation, engineers switched to a backup line, resolving the issue. The spacecraft is expected to resume its electric propulsion system by mid-June, using a Mars gravity assist in 2026 to reach the asteroid in 2029. The $1.2 billion mission, launched in October 2023, faced earlier development delays.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.