Close Menu

    Get the latest news around the globe

    Editor's Pick

    Study finds lung cancer pill reduces risk of death by half

    New vaccine shows remarkable results in brain cancer trial

    Maharashtra’s Koloshi village in limelight with its cave full of paleolithic tools

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Instagram
    Britain HeraldBritain Herald
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • World Roundup
    • Business
    • Tech World
    • Entertainment & Events
    • Curious
    • More…
      • Spotlight
      • Knowledge
      • Lifestyle
      • Awareness
      • Women World
      • Sports
      • Travel
      • Notable
      • Contact Us
    Britain HeraldBritain Herald
    Home » Hera Mission underway: Paving the way for asteroid defence
    Science

    Hera Mission underway: Paving the way for asteroid defence

    The mission represents a major milestone in planetary defence as it sets off on a voyage to the binary asteroid system Didymos.
    News DeskBy News DeskOctober 8, 2024
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
    ESA Science Office
    Image Credits: ESA/Science Office | Cropped by BH

    Cape Canaveral: The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched its Hera mission on October 7, at 10:52 a.m. EDT (1452 GMT), aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission marks a significant milestone in planetary defence as it embarks on a multi-million-mile journey to the binary asteroid system Didymos.

    DART Mission

    Hera mission aims to follow up on NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirect Mission), which became popular in September 2022 when it impacted Didymos’ smaller companion, Dimorphos. This collision altered Dimorphos’ orbit, demonstrating a potential strategy for protecting Earth from rogue asteroids in the future. ESA’s Hera spacecraft will assess the aftermath of this impactful mission.

    Astronomer Alan Fitzsimmons, a member of the Hera science team, expressed excitement about the mission’s start during a live webcast prior to launch. “We want to see that acquisition of signal at the end where Hera calls home and says, ‘It’s okay, I’m on my way to Dimorphos,'” Fitzsimmons stated.

    Space X takeoff
    Image credit: ESA/SpaceX| Cropped by BH
    Successful launch

    Hera successfully separated from the Falcon 9’s upper stage approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes after liftoff, immediately contacting ESA officials to confirm its signal acquisition.

    The launch of Hera went ahead after SpaceX received clearance from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to resume flights following an anomaly in a previous launch. Notably, the Falcon 9’s first stage did not return to Earth for a landing, as all fuel was needed for Hera’s mission. This marked the 23rd flight of the Falcon 9 booster, which had previously completed 10 Starlink missions and several other notable launches.

    “Farewell, 1061, and we thank you,” said SpaceX’s John Insprucker, Principal Integration Engineer, to the booster after stage separation.

    Falcon 9 Rocket
    Image credit: ESA/SpaceX| Cropped by BH
    Hera’s Mission Objectives

    The $398 million Hera spacecraft, along with two smaller cubesats, Milani and Juventas, is expected to arrive at Dimorphos in late 2026. During its journey, Hera will perform a flyby of Mars in 2025 to gain a gravity assist. The mission investigates the impact crater created by DART, assesses any changes to Dimorphos, and refines planetary defence models.

    Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, emphasised that, “Hera is a bold step in scaling up ESA’s engagement in planetary defence.”

    POPULAR | UK launches Regulatory Innovation Office to fast-track tech approvals

    STAR OF SECTOR 2025
    Asteroid Defence Strategies Asteroid Research Binary Asteroid System Space Science DART Mission ESA Hera Mission European Space Agency Planetary Defence SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
    Avatar
    News Desk

    The news/article published above has been sourced, compiled, and corroborated by a member of the Britain Herald News Desk Team. If you have any queries or complaints about the published material, please get in touch with us at BritainHerald@Gmail.Com

    Newly Updated

    Devastating glacier collapse destroys Swiss village of Blatten

    May 29, 2025

    Manitoba declares emergency as wildfires force mass evacuation

    May 29, 2025

    Nvidia reports rising revenue as global AI demand surges

    May 29, 2025
    STAR OF SECTOR 2025

    Business

    Nvidia reports rising revenue as global AI demand surges

    Business May 29, 2025

    United States: Nvidia has reported a significant boost in its first-quarter earnings, with revenue surging…

    Volvo cars to cut 3,000 jobs in major restructuring effort

    May 27, 2025

    Trump demands US-made iPhones; Warns of 25% tariff

    May 24, 2025

    Nike to raise prices on select items citing seasonal planning

    May 22, 2025
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Curious

    Massive ice calving at Perito Moreno Glacier sparks concern

    May 16, 2025

    Glowing Spiral appears in night sky; Linked to SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket

    March 25, 2025

    Once dubbed ‘Ugliest’; Blobfish triumphs as NZ ‘Fish of the Year’

    March 19, 2025

    Giant Iceberg A23a runs aground near South Georgia; Easing wildlife fears

    March 5, 2025

    Get the latest news around the globe

    Knowledge

    Clownfish shrinks to survive marine heatwaves, study reveals

    Knowledge May 22, 2025

    England: Clownfish, famously known from the film Finding Nemo, are shrinking in size to survive…

    Kashmir conflict: History of disputes, wars, and unresolved tensions

    May 9, 2025

    Snakebite survivor’s blood sparks universal antivenom discovery

    May 3, 2025

    ESA’s Biomass satellite set for launch to map forest carbon

    April 29, 2025
    18-EA-387-TryEngineeringSummerInst_BannerAd_300x250_Robot
    About Us
    About Us

    Britain Herald is a global news brand that plays a significant role in educating and informing the masses with informative content, the latest updates, and current affairs across the World.

    Operated and Managed by WellMade Network, the portal is a sister concern of GCC Business News and Emirati Times. For inquiries about Media Partnerships, Investment and other opportunities in line with our Editorial Policy, please contact us at;

    Email Us: News@BritainHerald.com
    Whatsapp: +971 5060 12456

    We Have

    Devastating glacier collapse destroys Swiss village of Blatten

    May 29, 2025

    Manitoba declares emergency as wildfires force mass evacuation

    May 29, 2025

    Nvidia reports rising revenue as global AI demand surges

    May 29, 2025

    ‘Judicial Coup’ or Legal Check? US court blocks Trump’s tariffs

    May 29, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Instagram
    • Home
    • Business
    • Tech World
    • Awareness
    • Contact Us
    Privacy & Cookies Policy | Terms & Conditions
    © 2002 BritainHerald.com, An Initiative by WellMade Network

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.