The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to embark on a unique mission aimed at crashing a washing machine-sized satellite into space. The undertaking, named “Hera”, is part of a larger international asteroid deflection mission known as the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA). The joint project between ESA and NASA aims to study the effects of crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid to change its trajectory, a strategy that could potentially prevent future asteroid collisions with Earth.
The Hera mission is scheduled to launch in 2024 and will involve the satellite targeting a binary asteroid system known as Didymos, which consists of two bodies: Didymos A, the larger body, and a smaller moonlet called Didymos B. The mission will leverage NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft, which is set to crash into Didymos B in late 2022 at a speed of approximately 6.6 km/s.
Once DART has successfully impacted Didymos B, the Hera satellite will follow to carry out detailed post-impact investigations. The satellite will map the resulting impact crater and measure the asteroid’s mass. Hera will also deploy two CubeSats – miniaturized satellites for space research – to assist with the exploration of the asteroid. These CubeSats will carry out detailed examinations of the asteroid’s surface and internal structure.
The ESA has touted Hera as the most ambitious mission in its history, marking the first time that the organization has participated in a kinetic impactor mission. The knowledge gained from the mission will provide invaluable data for understanding how to deflect future asteroid threats.
The mission carries significant scientific and practical implications. On a scientific level, it will provide insights into the formation of our solar system, as asteroids are considered “time capsules” from the early solar system. On a practical level, it could equip humanity with the knowledge and capability to prevent potential asteroid impacts, a genuine threat given that there are over one million asteroids in the solar system with the potential to impact Earth.
The mission also represents a major milestone for international cooperation in space exploration, demonstrating the collaborative efforts of multiple space agencies in tackling global challenges. The joint ESA-NASA mission signifies a growing trend towards international cooperation in space, as countries increasingly recognize the value of pooling resources and expertise to address shared challenges and advance scientific understanding.
Source link