NASA’s Psyche is preparing for a dramatic close flyby of Mars to gain a gravitational boost on its way to the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche.

On May 15, the spacecraft is expected to pass about 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) above the Martian surface at a speed of roughly 12,333 mph (19,848 kph). By using Mars’ gravity as a natural slingshot, the mission will increase the spacecraft’s speed and adjust its trajectory for the next stage of its journey toward one of the solar system’s most unusual asteroids.

Figure 1. Artist’s Illustration of NASA’s Psyche Flying Past Mars on Its Journey to a Metal-Rich Asteroid

Launched on October 13, 2023, Psyche uses solar-electric propulsion powered by xenon gas to slowly build velocity during its deep-space journey. The planned gravity assist from Mars will help conserve fuel while providing the spacecraft with the additional speed needed to continue toward its target. Figure 1 shows Artist’s Illustration of NASA’s Psyche Flying Past Mars on Its Journey to a Metal-Rich Asteroid.

Such planetary flybys also give mission teams an opportunity to test onboard systems and calibrate scientific instruments before the spacecraft arrives at its final destination, the asteroid 16 Psyche.

Psyche Will Observe Mars During Close Flyby

During its close encounter with Mars, NASA’s Psyche will use its multispectral imager to capture thousands of observations of the Red Planet. The data gathered during the flyby will help scientists refine imaging and operational techniques ahead of the spacecraft’s planned arrival at the asteroid 16 Psyche in 2029.

The mission has already begun returning preliminary images, including raw views of distant stars with Mars visible as a small point of light. Engineers plan to process the images by enhancing brightness and contrast, with the goal of creating a time-lapse sequence of the flyby.

To prepare for the maneuver, the mission team carried out a 12-hour trajectory correction burn on February 23, fine-tuning the spacecraft’s path and slightly increasing its speed before the encounter. Sarah Bairstow, Psyche’s mission planning lead at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said the flyby will provide the first opportunity to calibrate the spacecraft’s imager using a large planetary target while also testing its other scientific instruments.

Rare Crescent-Phase Views of Mars

As NASA’s Psyche approaches Mars from the planet’s night side, it will initially observe Mars as a thin illuminated crescent rather than the fully lit red globe commonly seen in images. Scientists say this unusual viewing angle will provide valuable calibration opportunities for the spacecraft’s imaging system while also producing striking photographs before and after the flyby.

Researchers are also hoping the encounter may reveal evidence of a faint dusty ring, or torus, surrounding Mars. Scientists believe tiny impacts on the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos could eject dust particles into space, and under the right lighting conditions, some of that material might become visible in Psyche’s processed observations.

NASA Monitors Psyche During Mars Gravity Assist

Mission controllers will track radio communications between NASA’s Psyche and the NASA Deep Space Network to verify the success of the Mars gravity assist [1]. Engineers will analyze changes in the Doppler shift of the signals to determine the spacecraft’s new trajectory as it departs Mars and continues toward the asteroid belt.

Several missions already operating around and on Mars will assist during the flyby, including Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, 2001 Mars Odyssey, Curiosity, and Perseverance. The European Space Agency will also contribute support through Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter.

By comparing Psyche’s measurements with data from these Mars missions, scientists hope to improve calibration of the spacecraft’s instruments and refine communication strategies for future missions traveling near Mars.

Reference:

1. https://scitechdaily.com/nasas-psyche-spacecraft-is-about-to-fly-shockingly-close-to-mars/

Cite this article:

Janani R (2026), NASA’s Psyche Spacecraft Prepares for an Extremely Close Flyby of Mars, AnaTechMaz pp.856