NEAR-Shoemaker in 2001 became the first spacecraft to land on a meteor. Launched on February 17, 1996, NEAR-Shoemaker landed on near-earth asteroid Eros and sent back data until February 28, 2001. The extreme cold on the asteroid probably prevented the return of more data. Older children can learn more at: http://science.nasa.gov/missions/near/.
Psyche lifted off in 2023. The unmanned spacecraft will travel 1.37 billion miles to reach the asteroid 16 Psyche in August 2029. Scientists are interested in Psyche’s composition; they believe it be rich in iron and metal. They are wondering if 16 Psyche is the core remnant of a planet hit by another body or if it is simply unmelted metal. The spacecraft Psyche will orbit the asteroid and send back data until November 2031. Then it will just remain orbiting 16 Psyche. Children could learn more at: Psyche.