The European Space Agency (ESA) is gearing up for its groundbreaking HERA (Hypervelocity Experimental Research Asteroid) mission, set to launch in 2026. This ambitious endeavor aims to explore the feasibility of asteroid deflection and shed light on the effects of high-velocity impacts on celestial bodies. By conducting a detailed study of asteroid deflection, HERA will significantly enhance our understanding of the best methods to protect Earth from potential asteroid threats.
ESA’s Hera mission concept, currently under study, would be humanity’s first mission to a binary asteroid: the 800 m-diameter Didymos is accompanied by a 170 m-diameter secondary body. Hera will study the aftermath of the impact caused by the NASA spacecraft DART on the smaller body. Credit: ESA
Mission Objectives
The HERA mission has three primary objectives. Firstly, it will test the efficacy of kinetic impactors in altering an asteroid's trajectory. This will involve simulating a high-velocity impact on the target asteroid, Didymos B, using a copper projectile. Secondly, HERA will investigate the effects of high-velocity impacts on asteroid composition and structure. This will provide valuable insights into the internal structure of asteroids and how they respond to impacts. Finally, HERA will conduct precise gravity measurements to better understand the asteroid's internal structure.
Mission Design
The mission will target the Didymos binary asteroid system, comprising a primary asteroid (Didymos A) and a smaller satellite (Didymos B). Didymos B is an ideal target for HERA, as its small size and orbital proximity to Didymos A make it an ideal analog for potentially hazardous asteroids.
HERA's Spacecraft
The HERA spacecraft is designed to characterize Didymos B in unprecedented detail. Equipped with advanced instruments, HERA will conduct detailed observations of the satellite asteroid's size, shape, and composition. Following the impact simulation, HERA will assess the effects of the impact on Didymos B's orbit and composition. This data will provide critical insights into the effectiveness of kinetic impactors as a deflection strategy.
HERA is part of a joint NASA-ESA collaboration, with NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission serving as a precursor to HERA. DART will conduct a kinetic impact on Didymos B in 2022, providing valuable data for HERA's subsequent analysis. The synergy between DART and HERA will enable scientists to gain a comprehensive understanding of asteroid deflection and its applications in planetary defense.
Scientific Significance
The HERA mission will significantly enhance our understanding of asteroid deflection and the effects of high-velocity impacts. This knowledge is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate potential asteroid threats to Earth. By exploring the feasibility of asteroid deflection, HERA will pave the way for future missions that will safeguard our planet's security.
Launch Details
The spacecraft is scheduled to blast off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral in the US state of Florida on Monday. However an "anomaly" involving a Falcon 9 rocket during the launch of SpaceX's Crew-9 astronaut mission on Saturday could potentially delay the launch date, the ESA's Hera project manager Ian Carnelli said at a press conference.
The ESA is hoping to receive approval by Sunday from the US Federal Aviation Administration, NASA and SpaceX, Carnelli said.
The launch window for the mission will remain open until October 27.
HERA's Impact on Planetary Defense
"HERA represents a critical step forward in our quest to protect our planet from asteroid threats," said Dr. Josef Aschbacher, ESA's Director-General. "By exploring the feasibility of asteroid deflection, we're paving the way for future missions that will safeguard our planet's security." As the world's attention turns to planetary defense, HERA stands at the forefront of this critical effort.
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