Science & Tech · Space · 1 hr ago
Europe’s Hera spacecraft begins close study of asteroid hit by NASA
Europe’s Hera spacecraft has begun close inspections of the asteroid system Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos.
The European Space Agency says Hera is currently about 15 to 18 miles from them.
NASA’s DART spacecraft hit Dimorphos in 2022 to test whether a spacecraft could change an asteroid’s course as a way to protect Earth.
The impact shortened Dimorphos’s orbit around Didymos and also nudged it onto a slightly different path around the Sun.
Hera is investigating the impact site to help scientists understand what happened when DART struck.
The probe carries 25 science instruments and two small CubeSats, which will survey Dimorphos more closely and attempt to land on it.
Hera is expected to move closer next month, reaching about 12 miles from the moonlet.
Europe’s Hera spacecraft has begun close inspections of the asteroid system targeted by NASA in a planetary defense test.
Hera is studying Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos from 15 to 18 miles (25 to 30 kilometers) away.
NASA’s DART spacecraft struck Dimorphos in 2022, shortening its orbit around Didymos and nudging it onto a slightly different path around the sun.
Hera is scheduled to move within 12 miles (20 kilometers) of the system next month.
The mission carries 25 science instruments and two small CubeSats to survey Dimorphos and attempt a landing.
- Who
- The European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft is inspecting Didymos and its moonlet Dimorphos. NASA’s DART spacecraft struck Dimorphos in 2022.
- What
- Hera has begun close inspections of the asteroid system after the DART impact. The mission is investigating the impact site.
- When
- Hera began close inspections on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. DART struck Dimorphos in 2022.
- Where
- At the Didymos asteroid system, in space.
- Why
- To investigate the results of NASA’s planetary defense test and study the impact site.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
NASA’s DART spacecraft deliberately struck Dimorphos in a planetary defense test.
Hera was launched.
Hera began studying Didymos and Dimorphos from 15 to 18 miles away.
Hera is scheduled to move within 12 miles of the asteroid system.
- Hera’s current distance
- 15 to 18 miles (25 to 30 kilometers)
- Planned closer approach
- 12 miles (20 kilometers) next month
- Hera’s instruments
- 25 science instruments
- CubeSats
- Two shoebox-sized spacecraft
- Dimorphos diameter
- Estimated 500 feet (151 meters)
- Didymos diameter
- Roughly 2,560 feet (780 meters)
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