billvon 2,427 #1 Posted October 13, 2023 An old classmate of mine, Lindy Elkins, proposed a mission to NASA years ago - she wanted to visit an all-metal asteroid, which is likely a remnant of an ancient planetary core, and run experiments. She didn't expect to win the competition for missions. But she did, and she's spent the last 7 years working on this mission. It is scheduled to launch today after a lot of delays on a Falcon 9 Heavy. It will take almost 6 years to get there, using Hall-effect ion engines. This is the first time these engines will be used in deep space. It will then spend two years on station running experiments and making observations. Good luck Lindy! 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,147 #2 October 13, 2023 Oh that’s way too cool. What a dream come true! Wendy P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,063 #3 October 13, 2023 1 hour ago, billvon said: An old classmate of mine, Lindy Elkins, proposed a mission to NASA years ago - she wanted to visit an all-metal asteroid, which is likely a remnant of an ancient planetary core, and run experiments. She didn't expect to win the competition for missions. But she did, and she's spent the last 7 years working on this mission. It is scheduled to launch today after a lot of delays on a Falcon 9 Heavy. It will take almost 6 years to get there, using Hall-effect ion engines. This is the first time these engines will be used in deep space. It will then spend two years on station running experiments and making observations. Good luck Lindy! Hi Bill, Good for her. That is what I really like about this country: You can follow your dreams. Jerry Baumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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