Hera Mission Launches to Investigate DART’s Asteroid Impact Aftermath
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Hera spacecraft and its two CubeSat companions launched today aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This ambitious mission marks the next chapter in the story of NASA’s DART mission, which intentionally slammed into the asteroid Dimorphos in September 2022, CNN reports.
Hera, about the size of a small car, is set to arrive at the double-asteroid system of Didymos and Dimorphos in late 2026. Its primary goal is to conduct a comprehensive “crash scene investigation” following the DART impact, seeking answers to critical questions about the asteroid’s composition and the effectiveness of the deflection technique.
The DART mission, which stands for Double Asteroid Redirection Test, was designed to test the viability of using a kinetic impact to alter the trajectory of an asteroid. The spacecraft successfully shifted Dimorphos’ orbital period around its larger companion, Didymos, by approximately 32 to 33 minutes. However, many mysteries remain, including the exact nature of the impact crater and how the asteroid’s internal structure was affected.
Hera’s journey to Didymos and Dimorphos will take it past Mars in mid-March 2025. This gravity assist will provide the spacecraft with the necessary momentum to reach its destination two years later.
Once at the double-asteroid system, Hera will deploy its two CubeSats, Juventas and Milani. These shoebox-sized satellites will conduct close-up surveys of Dimorphos, collecting data about its surface, composition, and internal structure. Meanwhile, Hera will fly within 6,000 kilometers of the asteroid, utilizing its suite of 11 instruments to create detailed 3D maps and study the impact crater, ejected material, and any potential changes in the asteroid’s shape and spin.
Scientists are particularly interested in determining if Dimorphos is a rubble pile asteroid, held together by gravity with large voids inside, or a solid core surrounded by boulders and gravel. This knowledge will be vital for predicting how an asteroid will react to a future deflection attempt.
