NASA’s Psyche spacecraft is set to pass close to Mars in a key gravity-assist maneuver that will help redirect its trajectory toward the asteroid Psyche in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
The flyby will use Mars’ gravity to accelerate the spacecraft and shorten its journey. Scientists believe the asteroid Psyche may be the exposed metallic core of an early planet, offering rare insights into how Earth and other rocky planets formed.
Launched in 2023, the mission is expected to reach its target in 2029.
