An independent review has concluded NASA’s Psyche asteroid mission is back on track for a launch this October after software problems, exacerbated by institutional issues at JPL, delayed its launch last year.
NASA released June 5 a report by the independent review board (IRB) commissioned by the agency last year after Psyche missed two launch windows in 2022 because of delays in the development and testing of flight software. That board concluded last fall that Psyche had suffered from software development programs but also broader issues at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, including a strained workforce and poor internal communications.
The new report assessed how both the mission and JPL had implemented recommendations the board made in its earlier report, concluding that both had made major progress.
“The IRB believes the response to our Psyche project and JPL institution findings and recommendations to be excellent,” Tom Young, chair of the IRB, said in a call with reporters. “We believe that Psyche is on a positive course for an October 2023 launch.”
For Psyche, that work involved reorganizing the project around the remaining work ahead of launch and bringing in experienced leadership, said Laurie Leshin, director of JPL. The project is now “nearly through” all the remaining software testing.
With 18 weeks remaining before launch, preparations are going well, with seven weeks of schedule margin. “The project, I’m pleased to report, is green across the board, and on track for our October launch,” she said.
Source : Space News