NASA's Psyche spacecraft is performing a close flyby of Mars today, May 15, 2026 [4], to accelerate its journey toward a metal-rich asteroid [1].
The maneuver is critical for the mission's success because it allows the probe to reach its distant target without requiring prohibitive amounts of fuel. By utilizing the planet's mass, the spacecraft can alter its course and velocity through a process known as a gravity assist.
The spacecraft is passing Mars at a speed of 12,333 mph [1]. NASA said the probe will harness the planet's gravitational pull to speed up and adjust its trajectory [1]. This precision movement ensures the craft remains on the correct path toward the asteroid Psyche.
Reports on the exact distance of the closest approach vary slightly between sources. CBS News said the spacecraft would pass within 2,800 miles [2], while Space.com said the distance would be within 3,000 miles [3] of the planet's surface. This narrow window of passage allows the probe to maximize the gravitational effect of the Red Planet.
NASA said the only reason for this flyby is to get a little help from Mars to speed the craft up and tilt its trajectory in the direction of the asteroid Psyche [3]. The probe is not stopping to orbit the planet, but is instead using it as a cosmic slingshot.
This flyby follows the capture of rare images of a crescent Mars as the spacecraft approached the planet [4]. The mission continues to push the boundaries of deep-space navigation by utilizing planetary bodies to traverse the solar system more efficiently.
“The probe will fly within 3,000 miles of Mars today to slingshot toward a rare metal-rich asteroid.”
This maneuver demonstrates the practical application of orbital mechanics, where planetary gravity is used as a propellant-free method of acceleration. By successfully executing this flyby, NASA reduces the mission's reliance on onboard fuel, extending the operational lifespan and viability of the probe as it heads toward the asteroid Psyche to study the early formation of planetary cores.
