# Psyche flies past Mars for a gravity assist toward the metal asteroid

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/psyche-flies-past-mars-for-a-gravity-assist-toward-the-metal-asteroid-20c39fb9
Date: 15 May 2026
About: [NASA](https://technooptimist.io/companies/nasa.md) · [Psyche](https://technooptimist.io/spaceflight/psyche.md)
Original source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasas-psyche-captures-gorgeous-mars-crescent-photo-on-way-to-asteroid/

Psyche passed about 2,864 miles (4,600 km) above Mars. The planet's gravity added roughly 1,000 mph and shifted the spacecraft's orbit around the Sun by about a degree, setting it up for arrival at asteroid Psyche in 2029.

## Key facts

- The team used the pass to check the cameras and Deep Space Network tracking.
- Arrival at the asteroid is due by August 2029.
- In orbit, a magnetometer, gamma-ray and neutron spectrometer and imager will study its makeup.

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