NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Captures Mars Flyby; Starlink Maneuvers Detected
NASA's Psyche spacecraft captures a Mars flyby, while several Starlink satellites perform orbital maneuvers. Explore these developments and more.
NASA's Psyche spacecraft, part of a mission to explore the metallic asteroid 16 Psyche, has successfully captured a time-lapse video of its recent Mars flyby. This manoeuvre, which occurred on 21 July 2026, was designed to use Mars' gravity to adjust the spacecraft's trajectory toward its target. The footage provides a unique perspective of the Red Planet, showcasing the spacecraft's capabilities in interplanetary navigation. The Psyche mission is a key part of NASA's ongoing efforts to understand the building blocks of planet formation.
Starlink Satellites Undergo Orbital Adjustments
Several Starlink satellites have been observed performing orbital manoeuvres, as indicated by significant changes in their argument of perigee. Notably, STARLINK-2151 and STARLINK-2155 exhibited changes of approximately 12.95° and 12.93°, respectively. These adjustments are part of routine operations to maintain the satellites' positions within their designated orbital slots. The Starlink Tracker on Orbital Radar provides real-time updates on these and other satellites in the constellation.
What to Watch
While there are no launches scheduled for today, anticipation builds for the upcoming launch of the Roman Space Telescope, set to take place next month. NASA will host a media briefing soon to provide further details on this mission, which aims to explore dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics. Keep an eye on the Launch Schedule for updates on this and other upcoming missions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of NASA's Psyche mission?
Why do Starlink satellites perform orbital maneuvers?
Cite this article
Pick a style, then copy it or download it for your reference manager.Orbital Radar. (2026, May 9). NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Captures Mars Flyby; Starlink Maneuvers Detected. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-05-09
“NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Captures Mars Flyby; Starlink Maneuvers Detected.” Orbital Radar, 9 May 2026, orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-05-09. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.
Orbital Radar (2026) NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Captures Mars Flyby; Starlink Maneuvers Detected. Available at: https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-05-09 (Accessed: 6 November 2026).
Orbital Radar. “NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Captures Mars Flyby; Starlink Maneuvers Detected.” Last modified May 9, 2026. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-05-09.
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Live figures change, so keep the date you accessed the page. How to cite Orbital Radar
