ESA’s Hera asteroid mission, part of Europe’s contribution to planetary defence, has reached a key milestone as it arrives at the ESTEC Test Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. The spacecraft was transported from OHB in Bremen, Germany in a specially-designed container to maintain the necessary environmental conditions. Following its arrival, the container was allowed to settle overnight in the airlock of the Test Centre to equalize humidity levels before entering the cleanroom area.
This achievement marks an emotional moment for Paolo Martino, the Hera lead system engineer, who describes it as the culmination of three years of hard work. The mission is a crucial step in an international planetary defence experiment, with Hera playing a vital role in collecting essential data.
The NASA DART mission, which took place last year, saw the impact of the Dimorphos asteroid and modified its orbit, releasing debris. Hera’s primary objective is to survey the crater left by DART on Dimorphos, gathering data on its mass and composition. Additionally, the mission will also study the larger Didymos asteroid, which Dimorphos orbits around.
The data collected during the mission will offer valuable insights into the impact experiment and its potential for safeguarding Earth from potentially dangerous asteroids. This information will help scientists better understand the behavior of asteroids and devise effective strategies to protect our planet.
The ESTEC Test Centre, operated by European Test Services, is the largest facility of its kind in Europe, offering comprehensive satellite testing equipment. This state-of-the-art facility plays a vital role in ensuring the success of space missions, including Hera’s current mission.
Excitingly, the ESTEC Test Centre will be open to the public during the ESA’s Open Day in October. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to witness the cutting-edge technology and expertise that drive space exploration.
As the Hera asteroid mission continues to progress, the world eagerly awaits the invaluable insights it will provide, furthering our understanding of planetary defence and ultimately keeping our planet safe from potential threats.
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