The European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter has captured a rare image of NASA’s Psyche spacecraft as it flew past Mars earlier this month, marking a notable moment of interagency collaboration in deep space. The image, released by ESA on July 14, 2026, shows Psyche as a small, bright dot against the dark backdrop of space, taken from a distance of approximately 1,000 kilometers during the spacecraft’s gravity-assist maneuver around the Red Planet.
Psyche, launched by NASA in October 2023, is on a mission to study a metal-rich asteroid of the same name located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The spacecraft’s flyby of Mars on July 10, 2026, was a critical step in its trajectory, using the planet’s gravity to adjust its course and gain speed for the remainder of its journey. Mars Express, which has been orbiting Mars since 2003, was tasked with observing the flyby to provide additional data on Psyche’s position and trajectory.
The image was captured by Mars Express’s High-Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC), an instrument originally designed for mapping the Martian surface. ESA engineers had to carefully plan the observation, coordinating with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to ensure the orbiter’s camera was pointed in the right direction at the exact moment Psyche passed by. The result is a striking image that highlights the precision of interplanetary navigation and the value of cross-agency cooperation.
Psyche’s flyby of Mars was not only a navigational milestone but also an opportunity for scientific observation. During the maneuver, the spacecraft’s instruments were calibrated and tested, including its magnetometer and gamma-ray spectrometer, which will be used to study the asteroid’s composition. The asteroid Psyche is believed to be the exposed core of an early planet, offering insights into the building blocks of our solar system. The mission aims to determine whether the asteroid is indeed a planetary core, which could help scientists understand how Earth and other rocky planets formed.
The collaboration between ESA and NASA on this observation underscores the growing trend of international cooperation in space exploration. Mars Express, one of ESA’s longest-running missions, has provided invaluable data on Mars’s atmosphere, geology, and climate for over two decades. Its ability to track a fast-moving spacecraft like Psyche demonstrates the versatility of aging space assets. NASA’s Psyche mission, meanwhile, represents a new frontier in asteroid science, focusing on a type of object that has never been visited before.
The flyby also had practical implications for mission planning. By capturing images of Psyche from Mars Express, engineers could verify the spacecraft’s trajectory with greater accuracy, reducing the need for additional course corrections later in the mission. This kind of cross-support is becoming more common as space agencies seek to maximize the scientific return from their investments. For example, ESA’s Mars Express has previously supported NASA’s Mars rovers by relaying communications, and NASA’s Deep Space Network has provided tracking services for ESA missions.
Psyche is expected to arrive at its target asteroid in 2029, after a journey of about six years. The spacecraft will then spend 21 months in orbit around the asteroid, mapping its surface, measuring its gravity field, and analyzing its composition. The data collected could revolutionize our understanding of planetary formation, as the asteroid Psyche is thought to be composed largely of iron and nickel, similar to Earth’s core. If confirmed, it would provide direct evidence of how planetary differentiation—the process by which planets separate into layers—occurs.
The image from Mars Express is a reminder of the complexity and beauty of space exploration. It shows two spacecraft, built by different nations for different purposes, converging briefly in the vastness of the solar system. For scientists and engineers, it is a testament to the precision of modern spaceflight and the power of collaboration. For the public, it offers a glimpse into the intricate dance of spacecraft as they navigate the cosmos.
ESA plans to continue operating Mars Express for several more years, pending funding and spacecraft health. The orbiter has already far exceeded its original mission duration, and its continued observations of Mars and occasional support for other missions make it a valuable asset. NASA’s Psyche mission, meanwhile, is on track for its asteroid rendezvous, with the flyby of Mars serving as a key validation of its systems. The two agencies have expressed interest in further collaborative opportunities, including potential joint observations of other celestial bodies.
In the broader context of space exploration, the Mars Express-Psyche encounter highlights the importance of maintaining a diverse fleet of spacecraft. While Mars Express is a veteran orbiter focused on a single planet, Psyche is a cutting-edge mission targeting a unique asteroid. Their paths crossed for a moment, but the data and images from that moment will contribute to our understanding of the solar system for years to come.
