description Hera Overview
Hera is a European Space Agency space-safety mission to the binary asteroid system Didymos and Dimorphos. Launched on 7 October 2024, it is designed to survey the crater and physical properties produced by NASA’s DART kinetic impact on Dimorphos in 2022. The spacecraft will use autonomous navigation and carry two CubeSats, Milani and Juventas, to investigate the system and provide data for assessing asteroid-deflection techniques.
help Hera FAQ
When did ESA's Hera launch and when will it arrive at the asteroids?
Hera launched on 7 October 2024 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. It is scheduled to arrive at the binary asteroid system Didymos and Dimorphos in late 2026.
What will Hera do at Dimorphos?
It will closely survey the crater and physical changes produced when NASA's DART spacecraft deliberately struck Dimorphos on 26 September 2022. Hera will measure the asteroid's mass, structure, and interior to validate kinetic-impact deflection models for planetary defense.
Does the Hera mission carry any smaller spacecraft?
Yes, Hera carries two CubeSats named Juventas and Milani. Juventas carries radar to probe Dimorphos's interior and is planned to attempt a landing on the asteroid.
Why is Hera needed if DART already hit the asteroid?
DART proved the concept by shortening Dimorphos's orbital period around Didymos by roughly half an hour, but it could not linger to examine the aftermath. Hera provides the detailed close-up measurements needed to turn the experiment into a reliable planetary-defense technique.
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