NASA's Psyche spacecraft returns unfamiliar views of a familiar world
Summary
NASA's Psyche spacecraft used a close flyby of Mars to gain speed and adjust its path for reaching the metal asteroid Psyche in 2029. The spacecraft also tested its scientific instruments by capturing unique images and data of Mars during this maneuver.Key Facts
- Psyche spacecraft launched in October 2023 from Florida to explore the metal asteroid Psyche.
- It traveled about 2.2 billion miles and will reach Psyche in summer 2029.
- The Mars flyby on May 15, 2026, helped Psyche gain a 1,000 mph speed boost using Mars’ gravity as a slingshot.
- The spacecraft passed about 2,864 miles above Mars’ surface, avoiding its atmosphere.
- Scientists tested Psyche’s three instruments: cameras, gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer, and magnetometer during the flyby.
- Psyche took thousands of images of Mars, including a rare nearly full view showing the southern polar ice cap and Valles Marineris canyon.
- The magnetometer detected possible interactions between the solar wind and Mars’ upper atmosphere or magnetic field remnants.
- The flyby was also used to check the instruments’ performance before reaching asteroid Psyche.
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