On May 15, NASA’s Psyche spacecraft will make a precise, close pass by Mars, speeding past at over 12,000 mph just 2,800 miles above the surface. This gravity-assist maneuver will increase Psyche’s velocity, helping it conserve fuel as it travels deeper into the solar system toward its final target — the unusual asteroid Psyche, known for its metallic composition.
- Psyche will pass 2,800 miles above Mars at 12,333 mph.
- The flyby helps save fuel by using Mars’ gravity to speed up Psyche.
- Instruments aboard will collect new Mars data and practice strategies for asteroid exploration.
What happened
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft is poised for a dramatic and fast flyby of Mars on May 15. Traveling at approximately 12,333 mph, Psyche will pass just 2,800 miles above the Martian surface. This maneuver uses the planet’s gravity as a slingshot, altering the spacecraft’s trajectory and increasing its speed. The adjustment means the mission can save important propellant for the long journey to the asteroid Psyche, which it aims to reach in 2029.
The spacecraft’s trajectory was finely tuned in February through a 12-hour thruster firing, ensuring it is on target for this close approach. During the flyby, Psyche will also perform scientific operations, such as capturing thousands of Mars images with its multispectral imager. These observations provide valuable practice for the data collection it will do later at its final destination.
Why it feels good
This flyby represents an exciting milestone in deep-space exploration, showcasing how mission teams skillfully combine physics and technology to extend spacecraft capabilities. Using Mars’ gravity to gain speed instead of relying solely on onboard propellant is an elegant solution that helps preserve resources for important science goals ahead.
Additionally, the opportunity to image Mars from a unique perspective—approaching from the planet's night side so Mars appears as a thin crescent—promises both scientific benefits and stunning visuals. This view allows teams to calibrate instruments and experiment with capturing subtle phenomena such as Mars' possible dusty rings and magnetic interactions, deepening our understanding of our planetary neighbor.
What to enjoy or watch next
As Psyche flies past Mars, watch for processed image releases in the coming weeks. These will reveal detailed views beyond the initial raw starfield photos already shared, including time-lapse sequences of the close approach. Enthusiasts will also want to track updates on the spacecraft’s ongoing journey and its preparations for orbiting the asteroid Psyche in 2029.
Moreover, the flyby’s scientific experiments, including searches for potential small moons around Mars and measurements of cosmic rays and magnetic fields, will provide fascinating data that scientists will analyze and share. These insights help refine techniques for studying the asteroid and improving future space missions targeting similar challenging asteroid environments.