A NASA spacecraft is poised for a close flyby of Mars this week, utilising the Red Planet's gravity for a crucial boost towards a rare metal asteroid. The robotic explorer – named Psyche, like the asteroid it's after – will slingshot past Mars on Friday, travelling at an impressive 12,333 mph (19,848 kph). This manoeuvre will see Psyche pass within just 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometres) of Mars – a distance comparable to crossing the entire United States. During the flyby, the spacecraft will capture thousands of images, serving as vital practice for its primary encounter with the asteroid in 2029. Following this close approach, Psyche will continue its journey, heading towards the asteroid belt situated between Mars and Jupiter, where its metallic namesake awaits. Psyche will pass within 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) of Mars, equivalent to the distance between the U.S. east and west coasts (NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU) All of the spacecraft's science instruments will be on for the Mars pass.…