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 recently used Mars as a gravitational slingshot to accelerate toward a metal-rich asteroid potentially worth quadrillions of dollars.
Velocity timeline
How fast coverage is spreading — measured hourly from article rate × source diversity. How this works →
The brief
In May 2026, the Psyche spacecraft passed within 2,864 miles of Mars. This gravitational maneuver allowed the craft to gain 1,000 mph of speed without utilizing its onboard propellant.
The mission is now proceeding toward a metal-rich asteroid that may represent the exposed core of an early planet. Coverage from Space Daily, 19FortyFive, Mashable India, Inshorts, and Futura emphasizes the immense potential value of the asteroid's metals.
Reports mention valuations ranging from billions to $10 quintillion, or $100,000 quadrillion. Future developments depend on the spacecraft's progress toward the metal world to determine the reality behind the projected value of the asteroid's resources.
Synthesized by Newsylist from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 15m ago.
Quick answers
How did the Psyche spacecraft increase its speed?
The spacecraft used Mars as a gravitational slingshot in May 2026, passing within 2,864 miles of the planet to gain 1,000 mph without using onboard propellant.
What is the nature of the target asteroid?
The target is a metal-rich asteroid that may be the exposed core of an early planet.
What is the estimated value of the asteroid's metals?
Coverage provides varying estimates, including billions of dollars, $10 quintillion, and $100,000 quadrillion.
Coverage (5)
- NASA’s Psyche Tracker: On A Mission To Probe $100,000 Quadrillion Worth Metal-Rich Asteroid Mashable India · 1d ago
- The truth behind the $10 quintillion asteroid 16 Psyche | Tap to know more Inshorts · 1d ago
- NASA’s Psyche Spacecraft Passed Within 2,864 Miles of Mars, Gained 1,000 MPH Without Using Onboard Propellant, and Is Now Headed for a Metal World That May Be an Early Planet’s Exposed Core 19FortyFive · 1d ago
- Asteroid metals worth billions: The reality behind the next space rush Futura, le média qui explore le monde · 1d ago
- 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 Space Daily · 1d ago broke it first
People, places & organizations
Topics
From around our network
Related trends
Meet Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski, Harvard’s ‘next Albert Einstein’ who has rejected million dollar offers
Physicist Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski is gaining attention as the 'next Albert Einstein' after rejecting million-dollar offers.
Staffing the moon base: How many astronauts should live in NASA's lunar outpost?
5 news sources are covering this Science story right now — Newsylist is tracking how fast it spreads.
NASA is keeping Voyager 1 alive by switching off instruments and heaters one by one—but it cannot let the spacecraft become so cold that its fuel lines freeze. If those lines fail, Voyager could lose the thrusters that keep its antenna aimed at Earth, per
NASA is strategically powering down Voyager 1's instruments to prolong its mission as its nuclear power source slowly fades.
NASA finally releases a critical planning document for private space stations
5 news sources are covering this Science story right now — Newsylist is tracking how fast it spreads.
Elon Musk’s plans to colonize space launches this year, and Tesla robots will be the first residents
Elon Musk aims to send thousands of people to the Moon and Mars within a decade, with Tesla robots serving as the first colony residents.
Elon Musk Claims SpaceX Will Send ‘Thousands’ Of People To The Moon And Mars In Next Ten Years
Elon Musk has unveiled a multi-stage blueprint for SpaceX involving satellite launches, off-planet industrialization, and human colonization of Mars.