NASA's Psyche spacecraft, on its way to study a metal-rich asteroid, has sent back images of Mars as it used the planet's gravity to adjust its course. The composite image shows the crescent of Mars growing larger over two weeks, from May 2 to May 15, 2026. The spacecraft took these pictures as it approached Mars for a gravity assist, a maneuver that uses a planet's gravitational pull to change a spacecraft's speed and direction without using extra fuel. Psyche launched in October 2023 and is expected to reach its target asteroid, also named Psyche, in 2029. The asteroid is thought to be the exposed core of an early planet, offering clues about how planets like Earth formed. This gravity assist from Mars gave the spacecraft a boost, helping it on its long journey. During the approach, Psyche's cameras captured a series of images showing Mars as a thin crescent that gradually became larger and more detailed. These images are not only scientifically useful for navigation but also provide a stunning view of our neighboring planet. The mission team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is using the data to refine the spacecraft's trajectory. Mars gravity assists are common for missions heading to the outer solar system. The planet's gravity can save time and fuel. Psyche's flyby went as planned, and the spacecraft continues to operate normally.