Hera Mission Launched to Explore Asteroid Deflection Techniques and Safeguard Earth from Potential Threats

Hera Mission Launched to Explore Asteroid Deflection Techniques and Safeguard Earth from Potential Threats

(IN BRIEF) The Hera planetary defense mission, launched successfully aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, aims to assess the feasibility of deflecting hazardous asteroids threatening Earth. This mission follows NASA’s DART mission, which tested asteroid deflection by impacting the Dimorphos moonlet. Hera will gather crucial data about the deflected asteroid, including its mass and structural composition, thereby enhancing the understanding of kinetic impact techniques for planetary defense. The mission also marks the first detailed study of a binary asteroid system, deploying advanced technologies such as deep space CubeSats and autonomous navigation. Thales Alenia Space contributed significantly to the mission by providing vital technologies for communication and power management. Hera is expected to reach its target in October 2026, positioning itself as a key player in safeguarding the planet from potential asteroid threats.

(PRESS RELEASE) LA DÉFENSE, 8-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Hera planetary defense mission, an initiative led by the European Space Agency (ESA), has successfully embarked on its journey aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This pivotal mission is aimed at exploring the feasibility of deflecting hazardous asteroids, a strategy crucial for planetary defense against potential impacts.

Hera is set to investigate the Didymos binary asteroid system, a target of particular interest due to its representation of a typical asteroid that could pose a risk to Earth. Following NASA’s successful Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission in September 2022, which altered the orbit of the Dimorphos moonlet through kinetic impact, Hera will build on this groundbreaking work by providing essential insights into the aftermath of such an event.

The mission aims to collect detailed data on Dimorphos, focusing on its mass, structure, and composition. This information is vital for understanding the effectiveness of asteroid deflection techniques and will contribute to developing a repeatable strategy for future threats.

In addition to its scientific objectives, Hera will conduct the most comprehensive exploration of binary asteroids to date, addressing a gap in our knowledge since such systems make up 15% of known asteroids. The mission will also showcase technological advancements, including the deployment of the first deep space CubeSats and the implementation of autonomous navigation systems.

Thales Alenia Space, a key player in the mission, has provided critical technologies that will facilitate communication and data transmission back to Earth. The company’s teams in Spain, Italy, and Belgium developed the spacecraft’s communication systems and power management components, ensuring Hera can operate effectively even at vast distances of up to 500 million kilometers.

“Hera represents a significant leap in our understanding of planetary defense,” stated a spokesperson for Thales Alenia Space. “Our collaboration with ESA underscores our commitment to advancing space exploration and safeguarding our planet from potential threats.”

Asteroids are remnants from the early solar system and vary widely in size, with near-Earth asteroids posing the most significant risk of impact. With approximately 30,000 near-Earth asteroids identified, mid-sized asteroids (100 to 300 meters) are particularly concerning due to their potential for devastating effects on populated areas.

The Hera spacecraft is projected to reach its destination in October 2026, following a two-year cruise phase, when it will be positioned approximately 195 million kilometers from Earth. As it approaches, Hera will provide unprecedented insights into the dynamics of asteroid systems and contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to develop effective planetary defense strategies.

For more information about the Hera mission and its objectives, visit the European Space Agency’s website or follow updates on social media.

ABOUT THALES ALENIA SPACE

Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately €2.2 billion in 2023. Thales Alenia Space has around 8,600 employees in 9 countries, with 16 sites in Europe and a plant in the US.

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SOURCE: THALES