ESA launches Hera spacecraft to study how to protect Earth

On October 7, the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched the Hera spacecraft carrying a mission to study how to protect the Earth from collision threats from asteroids and meteorites.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Hera spacecraft lifted off from the launch pad at the space center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, US, at around 11am on October 7 local time.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Hera spacecraft lifted off from the launch pad at around 11 a.m. local time on October 7. (Photo: esa.int).

Brussels correspondents quoted ESA information that Hera will conduct the first detailed study of a binary asteroid system called 65803 Didymos , which consists of a larger asteroid and a smaller asteroid called Dimorphos. Previously, Dimorphos itself had its orbit changed by NASA's DART mission in 2022. Hera's main goal is to study the "impact site" in detail to collect important missing scientific data.

Although binary asteroid systems account for 15% of all known asteroids, they have never been thoroughly studied. Hera will also test the ability to autonomously navigate around an asteroid by monitoring surface features. By advancing scientific understanding of asteroid deflection techniques using 'kinetic impact,' Hera aims to better protect Earth. This is an important step in turning asteroid impacts from a natural disaster to a preventable one.

Hera is expected to arrive at the Didymos system in Fall 2026 to begin its primary science research phase.

Hera will also conduct complex deep-space technological experiments, including the deployment of two CubeSats to collect additional scientific data. The Italian-developed CubeSat Milani will study the mineral composition of Dimorphos and the surrounding dust, while the Luxembourg-led CubeSat Juventas will conduct the first radar survey inside an asteroid.

Around 100 European companies and research institutes from ESA member states have been involved in the development of Hera. The launch of the spacecraft marks a major step forward in efforts to protect Earth from the threat of asteroids and provides valuable knowledge for the development of more effective planetary defence systems in the future.