Psyche spacecraft flies by Mars for gravity assist in May 2026

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft successfully completed a gravity assist flyby of Mars on May 15, 2026, using the planet’s gravity to increase its speed and adjust its trajectory toward its final destination. The maneuver was captured in a composite photo released on July 17, 2026, showing Mars as a growing crescent from May 2 to May 15 as the spacecraft approached from a high phase angle, with sunlight reflecting off the planet’s surface.

The flyby affected the trajectory of the Psyche mission, which is en route to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, expected to arrive in 2029. The close pass also allowed the mission team to test and prepare the spacecraft’s instruments for the science operations planned at the asteroid.

This event matters because the gravity assist is a critical step in reaching the asteroid Psyche, which scientists believe could be the exposed core of an early planet, offering insights into planetary formation. The successful maneuver saves fuel and time, ensuring the mission stays on schedule.

Specific details from the source include the dates of the approach (May 2 to May 15, 2026), the close approach on May 15, and the release of the composite image on July 17, 2026. The images were taken by NASA’s Psyche mission, with credit to NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU.

Psyche launched in October 2023 and has been traveling through space since. The Mars flyby was planned early in the mission to gain the necessary velocity and trajectory changes.

Next steps for the mission include continued travel toward the asteroid Psyche, with arrival expected in 2029. The team will analyze data from the flyby to refine operations for the asteroid encounter.