NASA's Psyche spacecraft uses Mars for gravitational assist

NASA's Psyche spacecraft executed a successful close flyby of Mars on May 15, using the planet's gravity to gain speed and alter its trajectory toward the asteroid Psyche. The spacecraft passed within 2,864 miles (4,609 kilometers) of the Martian surface, receiving a 1,000 mph speed boost and a 1-degree shift in its orbital plane. This maneuver is critical for the spacecraft's journey to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, where it is expected to arrive in summer 2029.

Engineers confirmed the spacecraft's new trajectory by analyzing data from NASA's Deep Space Network. Don Han, Psyche's navigation lead, noted the importance of real-time Doppler signal monitoring during the flyby. The mission team also used the opportunity to test Psyche's scientific instruments, including its imagers, magnetometers, and spectrometers. The spacecraft captured thousands of images of Mars, providing valuable calibration data for future asteroid observations.

During the flyby, the spacecraft's multispectral camera captured images of Mars as a narrow crescent, with sunlight scattering through the planet's dusty atmosphere. Additional Mars missions, such as the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the European Space Agency's Mars Express, contributed supporting observations. The gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer collected data that will be compared with existing Mars measurements, while magnetometers may have detected Mars' bow shock.

After the flyby, Psyche resumed using its solar-electric propulsion system to continue toward the asteroid belt. Scientists believe the asteroid Psyche may be the exposed core of an ancient planetesimal, offering insights into the formation of rocky planets like Earth. The spacecraft will orbit Psyche at multiple altitudes to map its surface and collect data. Lindy Elkins-Tanton, Psyche's principal investigator, expressed excitement about the mission's progress and the role Mars played in propelling the spacecraft deeper into the solar system.