Psyche Mission Captures Growing Crescent of Mars
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3d ago

Psyche Mission Captures Growing Crescent of Mars

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NASA’s Psyche mission is approaching Mars to utilize a gravity assist maneuver, and has captured images showing the growing crescent of the planet. The spacecraft will pass by Mars between May 2nd and May 15th, 2026.

The composite image series released by NASA demonstrates the progression of Mars’ crescent as the Psyche mission draws nearer. The smallest crescent is visible when Mars is at its farthest distance from the spacecraft in the images. As the spacecraft approaches, the illuminated portion of Mars – its crescent – visibly grows.

NASA states that this flyby will serve as a gravity assist for the Psyche mission. This maneuver will help adjust the spacecraft’s trajectory as it continues on to its ultimate destination: the asteroid Psyche in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The images showcase not only the technical capabilities of the mission but also visually represent the process of using planetary gravity to alter a spacecraft's course.

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