Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
SpaceX is set to launch the European Space Agency's (ESA) Hera spacecraft, designed to study the asteroid Dimorphos, today (Oct. 7). The mission will assess the impact made by NASA's DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, which altered the asteroid's orbit in September 2022.
The Hera spacecraft, along with two cubesats named Milani and Juventas, will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The liftoff is scheduled for 10:52 a.m. EDT (1452 GMT). The launch will be broadcast live via ESA's channels.
Credit : ESA
Dimorphos, a moonlet of the near-Earth asteroid Didymos, was previously visited by NASA's DART spacecraft. The goal of Hera is to closely study the aftermath of the DART mission’s intentional impact, which successfully altered Dimorphos' orbit around Didymos as part of a planetary defense demonstration.
Credit : NASA
Hera will provide detailed observations of the crater left by the DART impact, including the size and depth, and will evaluate the overall efficiency of the asteroid deflection technique.
Credit : ESA
Two cubesats, Milani and Juventas, will be deployed by Hera to conduct further investigations. These will focus on studying the internal structure, surface composition, and gravity of Dimorphos, providing vital data for future planetary defense strategies.
If everything goes as planned, Hera is expected to reach Dimorphos by late 2026. The mission will conduct in-depth studies to better understand the asteroid’s physical properties and the lasting effects of the DART mission's impact.
Credit : ESA
The data collected by Hera and its cubesats will not only shed light on the asteroid's characteristics but will also inform future asteroid deflection missions aimed at protecting Earth from potentially hazardous space objects.
Credit : ESA
The launch window for Hera extends through October 27, allowing flexibility in case of delays. Launching within this period will still enable Hera to reach Dimorphos on schedule.