NASA's Psyche spacecraft, on a mission to explore a rare metal asteroid, is making a close flyby of Mars this week for a gravity boost. The robotic explorer, named after the asteroid it is pursuing, will pass within 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) of the red planet on Friday, traveling at 12,333 mph (19,848 kph).
Close Encounter with Mars
This flyby is exceptionally close, equivalent to the distance between the U.S. east and west coasts. After the maneuver, Psyche will continue its journey toward the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, where its target resides. All of the spacecraft's science instruments will be active during the Mars pass. Meanwhile, NASA's two Mars rovers and a fleet of U.S. and European orbiters will simultaneously conduct surface and atmospheric observations for comparative analysis.
Imaging and Science Goals
Psyche's cameras are already capturing images of Mars, showing a crescent on approach and a nearly full sphere as it recedes. These views serve a dual purpose: allowing operators to calibrate their instruments while producing visually striking photos, according to Jim Bell of Arizona State University, the imaging team leader. The asteroid Psyche is a potato-shaped object roughly 173 miles long and 144 miles wide (278 by 232 kilometers). Unlike most asteroids, which are rocky or icy, Psyche is believed to be metal-rich, possibly the exposed nickel-iron core of a protoplanet stripped by cosmic collisions.
Journey and Arrival
Launched in 2023, the spacecraft is halfway through its six-year journey to the asteroid, which lies three times farther from the sun than Earth. Psyche is expected to arrive in 2029, entering orbit around the asteroid for a two-year study. The van-sized spacecraft uses solar electric propulsion, powered by xenon gas thrusters.
This mission could provide insights into the early solar system, 4.6 billion years ago, and the conditions that led to life on Earth.
