On October 7, 2024, the European Space Agency ‘s ( ESA ) Hera mission lifted off from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. This probe is headed toward the Didymos-Dimorphos binary asteroid system, part of the effort to perfect the ” kinetic impact ” technique used by NASA in 2022 to deflect the orbit of the small asteroid Dimorphos .
Planetary defense with the Hera mission
The mission will complement NASA ’s DART mission and arrive at its destination in 2026. This detailed study will allow scientists to understand “ how the impact altered the asteroid’s structure and mineralogy ,” gathering critical data on the results of the collision. Additionally, Hera will launch two small CubeSats that will fly over the surface and land on Dimorphos , analyzing its composition and conducting the first subsurface radar survey of an asteroid.
Hera’s purpose is to strengthen planetary defense against potential asteroid impacts that could threaten Earth. The kinetic impact technique, tested by DART, seeks to deflect dangerous bodies that could pose risks to the planet. In addition, tests will be carried out on advanced autonomous navigation technology that could be applied in future space missions.
Involving 100 companies and led by OHB System AG , this mission marks an important precedent in international space collaboration, with the support of NASA , JAXA and other key players. ESA ‘s Director of Planetary Defense, Richard Moissl, stresses that Hera represents a landmark event in the investigation of binary systems, which make up 15% of known asteroids but have never been explored in depth.
The Didymos-Dimorphos system is important for this study because the DART collision left many unanswered questions. These include the size of the crater created by the impact and whether Dimorphos’ internal structure was altered. These data will help turn kinetic deflection into a reliable tool for future defense missions.
The most relevant details about the launch of the Hera mission. Source: European Space Agency, ESA
By the end of its primary phase in 2026, Hera will have generated a detailed database on the asteroid, which will consolidate its position as a reference in kinetic impact studies, and its scientific contribution to planetary defense.
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Source and photo: ESA
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