Europe's Hera spacecraft inspects asteroid hit by NASA test

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Nov, 22:32 · Archive

Europe's Hera spacecraft is inspecting an asteroid that NASA deliberately struck in 2022 to test planetary defence.

The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft has begun close inspections of an asteroid system that NASA deliberately struck in 2022 as a planetary defence test. The Hera spacecraft is now studying Didymos and its smaller moonlet Dimorphos from between 15 and 18 miles (25 to 30 kilometres) away. NASA's Dart spacecraft was sent to strike the harmless moonlet to test whether such an impact could alter the trajectory of a dangerous asteroid if one ever threatened Earth.

The 2022 impact shortened Dimorphos's orbit around Didymos and nudged the moonlet into a slightly different path around the sun. Dart sent rubble and boulders flying off Dimorphos, with the debris trail extending over 10,000 kilometres into space for months. Scientists believe some debris may still be in the vicinity.

Next month, Hera will venture even closer to just 12 miles (20 kilometres) away. The spacecraft carries 25 science instruments and a pair of shoebox-sized Cubesats that will survey Dimorphos more closely and attempt to land on it. Dimorphos is estimated at 500 feet (151 metres) in diameter, while Didymos is roughly 2,560 feet (780 metres) across.

How it is being reported

• Europe's Hera spacecraft begins close inspections of an asteroid rammed by NASA in a 2022 testA European spacecraft has begun close inspections of a harmless asteroid rammed by NASA four years ago in a planetary defense test.Clickorlando · 11 Nov, 22:12
• Europe's Hera spacecraft begins close inspections of an asteroid rammed by NASA in a 2022 testA European spacecraft has begun close inspections of a harmless asteroid rammed by NASA four years ago in a planetary defense test.News4Jax · 11 Nov, 22:12

In this story: European Space Agency · NASA · Hera · Didymos · Dimorphos · Dart

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