NASA’s Psyche Spacecraft Just Used Mars as a Giant Slingshot

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft completed a close Mars flyby on May 15, passing about 2,864 miles above the planet.

The gravity assist increased its speed by roughly 1,000 mph and shifted its orbital plane toward asteroid Psyche.

During the pass, the mission collected calibration images and instrument data and confirmed navigation accuracy.

The maneuver saves fuel and helps prepare Psyche’s instruments for its 2029 arrival at the metal-rich asteroid.