European Space Agency's Hera Probe Launched to Study Asteroid System

TapTechNews October 8th news, the Hera probe of the European Space Agency (ESA) was launched into space on October 7th Eastern US time on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, and will head to the asteroid system Didymos that was impacted by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s DART probe in 2022 for close observation.

About 1 hour and 16 minutes after the launch, the Hera probe successfully separated from the upper stage of the Falcon 9 rocket and established communication with the ground. This means that the probe is all right and can continue its journey. The Hera probe will go to Mars for gravitational assistance and is expected to arrive at the Didymos asteroid system by the end of 2026.

According to TapTechNews, the main goal of the Hera mission is to track and study the impact produced after the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s DART probe impacted Dimorphos, the companion star of Didymos, in September 2022, to further improve the planetary defense strategy. The DART mission successfully changed the orbit of Dimorphos, demonstrating the potential of such a planetary defense strategy in protecting the Earth from asteroid impacts.

The Hera probe will conduct a detailed investigation of the impact site of the DART mission, including measuring the depth and size of the impact crater, and confirming whether there is an impact on the shape and structure of Dimorphos. In addition, Hera will also carry two small cube satellites, Milani and Juventas, for studying the surface minerals and gravity of Dimorphos.

This launch is an important step taken by the European Space Agency in the field of planetary defense and is also a model of international cooperation in responding to the asteroid threat.