NASA’s Psyche Probe Slingshots Past Mars at 12,000 mph

NASA's Psyche spacecraft is preparing for a critical close encounter with Mars, which will help propel it deeper into the solar system. On May 15, the probe will pass just 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) above the Martian surface at a speed of about 12,333 mph (19,848 kph). Mars' gravity will alter the spacecraft's trajectory and boost its speed, reducing the need for propellant on its long journey to the asteroid Psyche.

Launched on October 13, 2023, the Psyche spacecraft uses a solar-electric propulsion system powered by xenon gas. Instead of relying solely on thrusters, the mission is using Mars' gravitational pull to help guide it toward its final destination. The flyby also serves as a crucial opportunity to test and calibrate the spacecraft's science instruments before it reaches the asteroid in 2029.

During the encounter, the mission team will use Psyche's multispectral imager to collect thousands of observations of Mars. These data will help refine imaging techniques and practice operations for future asteroid studies. The spacecraft has already begun returning images, with the first raw images showing Mars as a tiny point of light. Engineers will later process these images to create a time-lapse sequence of the event.

To ensure precision, the operations team conducted a trajectory correction maneuver on February 23, firing the thrusters for 12 hours to fine-tune the course. Mission planners and engineers are confident the spacecraft is on target. The flyby will also provide a unique view of Mars, with the spacecraft approaching from the night side, capturing a thin crescent illuminated by a narrow strip of sunlight. Scientists are also interested in the possibility of observing a faint dusty ring around Mars, if conditions allow.

Other instruments aboard Psyche, including the magnetometer and gamma-ray spectrometer, will gather additional data during the flyby. While the primary goal is to gain speed and adjust the trajectory, the mission team hopes to conduct valuable scientific testing and calibration. Mission controllers will monitor radio signals from Psyche to confirm the success of the maneuver, with changes in velocity detectable through Doppler shifts in the signals.