Collaborative Effort to Study Near-Earth Asteroids and Enhance Planetary Defense Strategies: ESA’s Hera Mission

ESA’s Hera mission, set to launch in October 2024, will focus on studying the binary asteroid system Didymos, specifically examining the moonlet Dimorphos. NASA has selected 12 participating scientists to join the mission, who will bring their expertise to this groundbreaking research endeavor.

The goals of the DART and Hera missions are to confirm the kinetic impact method as a viable technology for diverting an asteroid heading towards Earth, if such a threat is identified. Additionally, the missions aim to increase our understanding of near-Earth asteroids, which pose a potential hazard to our planet. The Hera mission, led by ESA, will involve a combined effort between NASA and ESA scientists.

By studying the binary asteroid system Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos, the mission aims to further explore the impact of NASA’s DART spacecraft on Dimorphos and validate the kinetic impact method as a means of deflecting asteroids on a collision course with Earth. The research conducted during the Hera mission will contribute to our understanding of asteroid deflection methods and inform future planetary defense strategies. Through this collaboration between NASA and ESA scientists, we hope to enhance our ability to respond to potential threats from near-Earth asteroids and protect our planet from this natural hazard.