Psyche is a main-belt asteroid. Despite having a diameter slightly larger then 200 km, Psyche is on of the richest asteroids in metals. Many scientists coined out that Psyche is an exposed planetary core.
Data[]
Psyche orbits the Sun in the main asteroid belt at 3.328 AU. Its orbit is elliptical (excentricity 0.140) but not significantly tilted from the plane of the Solar System (3.1 degrees). Its diameter is estimated to be 222 km. Psyche is not a spheroid. The asteroid appears to have a high density (4.2). Such a density is only compatible with a metallic structure. The asteroid is thought to be composed of 90% metals and 10% silicate. Spectroscopic analysis also showed that the surface is covered with iron and iron oxide, possibly mixed with other metals, with a smaller amount of silicates and traces of water ice.
Scientists expect that Psyche contains a high amount of heavy elements. Usually, heavy metals sink towards the core of a planet, while only trace amounts remain on the surface. If this is true, Psyche could contain high amounts of rare earths, platinum, uranium and other expensive elements. It is possible that these elements are found in higher concentrations deeper within Psyche's core.
The Psyche spacecraft is expected to reach the asteroid around 2026. Until then, we don't know clearly how the asteroid looks like. Most probably, like all other asteroids, Psyche is heavily cratered. As iron is more resistant then silicates and tends to solidify faster due to higher melting temperatures, craters on Psyche should have a different shape, with spectacular rims. Another interesting possibility is that, with a core far richer in radioactive elements, Psyche could have had volcanism. Extinct volcanoes and tectonic faults could exist.
Surface gravity is 0.0147 of Earth's. A human weighting 70 km on Earth would weight 1.03 km on Psyche. Escape velocity is 180 m/s (648 km/h).
Colonization[]
Among all asteroids, Psyche is the best destination for Industrial Colonization. Most scientists argue that the asteroid holds higher amounts of certain elements (like gold, platinum, iridium, tellurium and probably all rare-earths) then Earth's crust. Other elements, like iron, nickel, copper and zinc, even if not so precious, are vital for most branches of industry.
Building on Psyche should not be difficult. There is enough gravity to make sure people and objects are not lost into space, as it would happen on a small asteroid. A little gravity is beneficial for industrial activity and makes sure things stay on the ground. It enables ground vehicles to run and ensures that buildings stay there. Since the asteroid is mostly made of iron, metal structures can simply be welded to the surface. This dramatically reduces building costs like the need of a foundation. Materials from the asteroid can easily be used for building. Basically, all rocky iron can be melted and used directly for building.
Mining would be partially a challenge. Classic mining equipment would be useless, as the rock is mostly made of iron. Special digging equipment is required. Maybe settlers would prefer to directly heat the rock until it melts, then extract it melted to an ore refinery. Surface mining would be the main way of extracting ores. However, deep mining might be required to reach heavy elements. Unlike the Earth, on Psyche a mine can go as deep as the center of the asteroid. This is because rocks are much more resistant (they are metals) and with a lack of gravity the weight of rocks above don't compress tunnels so hard.
Psyche has a small amount of silicates and a very small amount of water ice. Light elements, like nitrogen, could be in too low amounts.
The Base[]
There are several requirements for any human colony in space. Given the distance to other planets, settlers will need to take care of themselves, they will need to grow food and produce their own oxygen.
The Sun is not far and can provide enough light for plants to grow. So, greenhouses can be built to grow plants to feed the colony. However, as Psyche orbits in the Main Asteroid Belt, it experiences cold temperatures. During daytime, it never gets close to zero degrees C, while during night time, it must be as cold as -150 C. Metals get warm during the day and radiate a significant amount of heat during night, but also dissipate fast heat produced by human bases. So, everything must be well insulated to prevent heat losses.
Psyche might have a magnetic field, as metals sometimes naturally act as magnets. However, its own magnetic field, if it exists, is expected to be too weak to deflect solar winds and cosmic rays. Settlements need to be shielded from radiation. The best way to do this is by building underground. This can be done using silicate rocks as a natural cover. Silicates are a much better heat insulator then metals.
Solar power can be used, but is less efficient then at Earth's orbit. Mining operations will require huge amounts of energy. On the other hand, the presence of high amounts of heavy elements, including uranium and thorium, makes the use of nuclear power a good option. A nuclear generator would provide power and heat for mining operations and ore smelting plants.
The base will also need a spaceport to handle traffic between the asteroid and other destination. This can be easily done. A flat, metal-covered surface can be used for this purpose. Given the small gravity, cargo can successfully be transported between the surface and an orbiting spacecraft.
Settlers will need not only places to live, but also places to spend free time. We might see settlers on Psyche developing an isolated but compact city, similar to mining and industrial cities in the Arctic. Settlers, isolated from the rest of the world, will find themselves in a similar situation with people living in Norilsk, Siberia.
Mining Facilities[]
Mining on Psyche will be completely different from mining on other asteroids. Usually, mining means extracting chunks of rocks which are then grinded into small particles like sand, which are treated in water suspensions to separate ores. The best way to see Psyche's rocks is a mass of solid iron. Rock is not expected to be significantly fragmented, that is, as iron is more elastic then silicates are and as asteroid impacts would melt the iron which would solidify and weld pieces back.
Grinding the soil would be very difficult. Instead, workers would prefer to cut large chunks of rock, then melt them in a giant furnace, to separate valuable ores. Another option is to heat and melt the rock in situ. Such procedures require for the refining plant to be placed very close to the mines.
Development[]
It is questionable if Psyche will become an independent state or if it will be part of a federation. Whoever will start the mining operations will do its best to keep Psyche within its territory. However, owning such a mineral wealth, the colonies would rather want to become independent.
While many asteroids in the Inner Solar System are suitable for mining, outer small Solar System bodies (like Centaurs or Kuiper Belt Objects) are mostly made of water ice. Psyche might sell its production to colonies in the Outer Solar System (like the moons of Jupiter and Saturn) for better prices then to the Inner Solar System.