Europe’s space probe to strengthen asteroid defence explained in a model of the Didymos/Dimorphos binary asteroid system
The Solar System is only a quiet and peaceful place at first glance. Asteroids, for example, are a constant threat to our planet. ESA and NASA have recognised this danger and are therefore collaborating to address it. In the early morning of 27 September 2022, NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) probe impacted Dimorphos, the smaller of the two bodies in the Didymos binary asteroid system, slightly altering its orbit. Following its launch in October 2024, ESA’s Hera mission will use a space probe and two CubeSats to scientifically investigate the effects of this impact. In addition to collecting important data on the Didymos asteroid, the aim is to investigate how exactly the impact of a probe can deflect an asteroid from its original course.
As part of the world’s first asteroid deflection test by the DART probe, ESA’s HERA mission will carry out a detailed study of the target asteroid Dimorphos – the orbiting asteroid moon of the Didymos binary asteroid system – following its arrival in December 2026. After NASA’s DART mission impacts the planetoid moon, Hera will turn the large-scale experiment into a planetary defence technique. Hera will be humanity’s first probe to rendezvous with a binary asteroid system and Europe’s flagship planetary defence mission, demonstrating new technologies from autonomous navigation around an asteroid to operations under the very low gravity of asteroids. A landing on the asteroid will also be attempted. In Germany, OHB is the prime contractor for the mission, in which numerous small and medium-sized enterprises are also involved. Hera will also be equipped with two cameras developed and built in Germany. The radar system on one of the two CubeSats on board was also developed with the involvement of German researchers. By coordinating German ESA contributions, the German Space Agency at DLR has made a decisive contribution to financing the development and construction of the probe, the ground segment and the launch and operation of this important and highly regarded asteroid defence mission. In the Space Pavilion at ILA 2024, a dynamic model will show the Hera mission in the binary asteroid system.
Link:
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
German Space Agency at DLR
E-Mail contact-dlr@DLR.de
