A Probe Took Incredible Pictures of Mars on Its Way to a Far-Off Asteroid
NASA's Psyche probe recently conducted a flyby of Mars to calibrate its instruments while en route to a distant asteroid. The spacecraft captured detailed images of the Martian surface, including areas rich in water ice. After the flyby, the probe increased its speed and is set to reach its destination in August 2029.
- ▪The Psyche probe was launched in October 2023 and performed a flyby of Mars to utilize its gravitational pull.
- ▪During the flyby, the probe passed within 4,609 kilometers of Mars and captured thousands of images.
- ▪The mission aims to map the asteroid Psyche, believed to be the partial core of a planetesimal, to better understand Earth's interior.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Jorge GarayScienceMay 25, 2026 5:00 AMA Probe Took Incredible Pictures of Mars on Its Way to a Far-Off AsteroidNASA took advantage of the recent close approach of the Psyche probe to Mars to calibrate its observation instruments.Photograph: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASUCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyThe Psyche probe, launched in October 2023 on its way to the metallic asteroid it studies, recently performed a flyby of Mars to take advantage of its gravitational pull and continue its trajectory toward the asteroid belt. During the maneuver, the spacecraft obtained new images of the red planet.Psyche passed within 4,609 kilometers, or 2,864 miles, of the Martian surface, and was boosted to a higher velocity after completing the gravity assist.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at WIRED.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from WIRED
