Story perspectives

Psyche Spacecraft Uses Mars Gravity Assist, Captures Crescent View

5/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Psyche spacecraft flew within about 2,800 miles of Mars on May 15, 2026, using the planet’s gravity to boost its speed toward asteroid 16 Psyche.
All science instruments were activated during the flyby to calibrate cameras, test a satellite-search feature, and capture a rare thin-crescent view of Mars.
The gravity-assist saves xenon for the ion thrusters, extending capability as NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory monitors the encounter via the Deep Space Network.

History

Historical Context

In 1973 NASA launched Mariner 10, which on 5 February 1974 used a Venus gravity-assist—the first such maneuver, conceived by Giuseppe Colombo—to lower its perihelion and achieve three Mercury flybys, mapping roughly 45 % of the planet. The technique proved fuel-saving and set a precedent that the Psyche mission follows, employing a Mars assist on 15 May 2026 to conserve xenon for its ion thrusters.

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Story summary

The Psyche spacecraft flew within about 2,800 miles of Mars on May 15, 2026, using the planet’s gravity to boost its speed toward asteroid 16 Psyche.
All science instruments were activated during the flyby to calibrate cameras, test a satellite-search feature, and capture a rare thin-crescent view of Mars.
The gravity-assist saves xenon for the ion thrusters, extending capability as NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory monitors the encounter via the Deep Space Network.

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