Psyche mission gains Mars gravity assist to reach its 2029 arrival, boosting its study of asteroid Psyche and the origin of planetary cores. Led by Lindy Elkins-Tanton at Arizona State University, the project aims to map the asteroid’s composition and structure, advancing our understanding of planetary formation.
The Psyche mission has used a Mars gravity assist to accelerate toward its metal-rich target. Launched in 2023, the probe has reoriented its orbit and is on track to arrive at the asteroid Psyche in summer 2029, after testing its science instruments during the Mars flyby.