Zooming in on the Asteroid Adventure: European Spacecraft Hera Takes a Detour Near Mars
Asteroid exploration mission: European spacecraft Hera performs flyby near Mars - Hera European Spacecraft Conducts Flyby Near Mars During Asteroid Exploration Mission
Hey there! Let's talk about an exciting journey in the cosmos. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) recently declared a major milestone on the road to the asteroid duo Didymos, home to potential breakthroughs in asteroid defense techniques. This mission is being led by our trusty space explorer, Hera.
During this thrilling chase, Hera utilized Mars' gravity to fine-tune its path. The spacecraft came within approximately 5000 kilometers of the red planet, and at times, Deimos, its moon, was merely 1000 kilometers away. This proximity offered stunning, fresh viewpoints of both Mars and its smaller satellite.
Hera's ultimate goal is to study the aftermath of a controlled impact that took place about two and a half years before it, involving a US probe and an asteroid. This intrepid little spacecraft, no larger than a car, was ingeniously crafted and built in Germany. It's expected to reach the double asteroid system, Didymos, and Dimorphos, in 2026.
You might recall that the US probe, Dart, successfully collided with Dimorphos, which orbits Didymos, on September 26, 2022. Now, Hera has a crucial mission to uncover specific changes in the asteroids' shapes resulting from the impact.
- spacecraft
- European Space Agency (ESA)
- DLR (also known as the German Aerospace Center)
- Cologne, Germany
- moon
So, buckle up and join us on this fascinating cosmic voyage! Who knows what new discoveries await us?
The European Space Agency (ESA) collaborates with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in optimizing tasks for the spacecraft Hera during its journey towards the asteroid duo Didymos. This detour near Mars serves Hera in fine-tuning its path. Interestingly, during this journey, Hera comes within half the distance of Mars from Didymos' moon, Deimos.
