All articles tagged with #mars gravity assist
NASA's Psyche spacecraft will perform a close flyby of Mars to gain a gravity boost before heading to the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, arriving in 2029 for up-close study; the mission uses solar-electric propulsion and aims to reveal whether Psyche is an exposed nickel-iron core and shed light on early solar system formation.
NASA's Psyche spacecraft is en route to the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche, using a Mars gravity assist to set its course; the mission will study the asteroid's core-like metal to illuminate how rocky planets formed in the early solar system.
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft will perform a gravity assist by flying within roughly 2,800–3,000 miles of Mars on May 15 to gain speed and redirect toward the metal‑rich asteroid 16 Psyche. The Mars flyby will also calibrate Psyche’s instruments, including its multispectral imager, as it heads toward its 2029 rendezvous with the asteroid believed to be an exposed nickel‑iron core. A February trajectory correction set up the maneuver, and scientists also anticipate potential Mars dust‑ring observations and a search for small moons to aid future mission planning.
NASA’s Psyche spacecraft will perform a Mars gravity assist on May 15, passing about 2,800 miles above the planet at roughly 12,333 mph to boost its trajectory toward the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche. Launched Oct 13, 2023, the mission uses solar-electric propulsion with xenon propellant, and the gravity assist helps save propellant while also calibrating science instruments for the upcoming encounter.