NASA's Psyche spacecraft, on its way to a metal-rich asteroid, used Mars as a gravitational slingshot in May 2026, skimming just 2,800 miles above the planet to gain the speed it needed

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft executed a precision flyby of Mars in May 2026, using the planet’s gravity to accelerate toward its destination: the metal-rich asteroid 16 Psyche. The maneuver brought the spacecraft within **2,800–2,864 miles** of Mars’ surface, adding **1,000 mph** to its velocity without expending fuel. Scientists believe the asteroid may be the exposed core of a failed planet, offering clues about Earth’s own formation.

Outlets like *Space Daily* and *19FortyFive* emphasize the technical achievement, while *Mashable India* and *Inshorts* focus on the asteroid’s speculative worth, framing it as a catalyst for future space mining. *Futura* ties the mission to broader debates about resource exploitation beyond Earth. Success will depend on its instruments mapping the asteroid’s composition, structure, and magnetic properties. If confirmed as a planetary core, the findings could reshape theories of planetary formation.

Watch for updates on trajectory adjustments and early science data releases—though no details on mining plans or commercial partnerships have been disclosed yet.