On October 7, the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched the Hera spacecraft, which is tasked with researching methods to protect Earth from threats and impacts from asteroids and meteorites.
The Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX carrying the Hera spacecraft lifted off from the launch pad at the space center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, around 11 AM local time on October 7.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Hera spacecraft lifts off around 11 AM local time on October 7. (Photo: esa.int).
Reporters in Brussels have reported from ESA that the Hera spacecraft will conduct the first detailed study of a binary asteroid system named 65803 Didymos, which includes a larger asteroid and a smaller one called Dimorphos. Previously, Dimorphos had its orbit altered by NASA’s DART mission in 2022. The main objective of Hera is to investigate the “impact site” in detail to collect essential scientific data that is currently lacking.
Although binary asteroid systems account for 15% of all known asteroids, they have never been thoroughly studied. Additionally, the Hera spacecraft will also test automatic navigation capabilities around the asteroid by monitoring surface features. By enhancing scientific understanding of asteroid deflection techniques through “kinetic impact,” Hera aims to better protect Earth. This is a crucial step in transforming asteroid collisions from a natural disaster into a preventable catastrophe.
Hera is expected to reach the Didymos system in the Fall of 2026 to begin the main scientific research phase.
Moreover, the Hera spacecraft will also conduct complex technology experiments in deep space, including deploying two CubeSat satellites to gather additional scientific data. Among them, the CubeSat Milani, developed by Italy, is tasked with studying the mineral composition of Dimorphos and its surrounding dust, while the CubeSat Juventas, developed by a consortium led by Luxembourg, will perform the first radar survey inside an asteroid.
Approximately 100 companies and research institutions from European ESA member countries participated in the development of Hera. The launch of this spacecraft marks a significant advance in the efforts to protect Earth from the threat posed by asteroids and provides valuable knowledge for developing more effective planetary defense systems in the future.
