NASA's Psyche spacecraft performed a gravity-assist flyby of Mars earlier this month to increase its speed toward a metal-rich asteroid [1].
The maneuver is critical because it allows the probe to conserve fuel and gain necessary velocity to reach its destination. By using the planet as a giant slingshot, the mission can reach 16 Psyche more efficiently than through engine propulsion alone [1].
The spacecraft passed Mars on May 15 or 16, 2026 [5, 6]. During this close approach, the probe flew approximately 2,800 miles above the Martian surface [3, 4].
This strategic flyby provided a speed boost of about 1,000 mph [1]. Following the maneuver, the spacecraft reached a speed of approximately 12,333 mph [2].
The ultimate target of the mission is 16 Psyche, a unique asteroid composed largely of metal. Estimates of the asteroid's monetary value vary widely between sources, ranging from $1.5 quintillion [7] to $700 quintillion [2].
NASA intends to study the asteroid to better understand the early formation of planetary cores. The gravity assist ensures the probe remains on a viable trajectory to reach the metal world by 2029 [10].
“The probe passed within 2,800 miles of Mars to gain velocity”
The successful Mars flyby demonstrates the precision of deep-space navigation and the continued reliance on celestial mechanics to explore the outer solar system. By leveraging planetary gravity, NASA can extend the reach of its instruments to high-value targets like 16 Psyche without the prohibitive weight of additional fuel, potentially unlocking data on the metallic cores of protoplanets.
