NASA spacecraft to swing past Mars as it chases rare metal asteroid
Summary
NASA's Psyche spacecraft will fly close to Mars this week to gain speed from the planet's gravity while taking thousands of photos. The spacecraft is on a long journey to study a rare metal-rich asteroid named Psyche, expected to arrive in 2029.Key Facts
- Psyche spacecraft will pass Mars at about 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) away, traveling 12,333 mph (19,848 kph).
- The spacecraft will use Mars' gravity to speed up on its way to the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
- Psyche will take pictures of Mars during the flyby to test its cameras and sensors.
- NASA's Mars rovers and orbiters from the U.S. and Europe will observe Mars at the same time for comparison.
- Psyche is traveling to a large asteroid thought to be mostly metal, possibly the core of a destroyed young planet.
- The metal asteroid is about 173 miles long and 144 miles wide (278 by 232 kilometers).
- Studying Psyche could reveal information about the early solar system and how Earth developed life.
- The spacecraft uses solar electric propulsion with xenon gas thrusters and will orbit the asteroid for two years after arriving.
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