NASA to launch space robots to study Jupiter’s mysterious asteroids

NASA will launch new spy robots to study mysterious asteroids in Jupiter. The space agency has already approved the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) to proceed to the next phase of the mission's robotic segment.

Earlier this year, the space agency updated the target launch date of the robotic mission to December 2021. This gives them enough time to incorporate the robotic spacecraft development in the schedule, NASA reported.

"This is an exciting milestone for the Asteroid Redirect Mission. Not only is ARM leveraging agency-wide capabilities, it will test a number of new technologies already in development," said NASA Associate Administrator Robert Lightfoot.

Jupiter's mysterious Trojan asteroids are trapped in the planet's gravity in two swarms that share its orbit. Both are located within Jupiter's circuit that revolves around the sun, Sputnik News reported.

A robotic spacecraft called Lucy will be the first to launch. It is slated to arrive on Jupiter's main belt asteroid in 2015. From 2027 to 2033, the spacecraft is scheduled to explore 4 more Trojan asteroids.

The mission is set to open new windows to understanding one of the earliest eras of our solar system which is more or less than 10 years after the sun was established.

ARM is a two-part mission: The first part aims to integrate robotic and crewed spacecraft operations to demonstrate the key capabilities needed for a journey to Mars. The robotic ARM will operate at a low-gravity planetary body with astronaut spacewalk activities for sample selection, extraction, containment, and return.

The second part called Psyche, on the other hand, will examine a giant metal asteroid known as "16 Psyche." The program will develop a baseline mission design to meet NASA's direction on risk, cost, and schedule.

NASA is planning to schedule a solicitation in September to call for partner-provided payloads on the robotic flight system.