The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Hera probe has successfully flown past Mars on its journey to the Didymos asteroid system. During this important phase of its mission, Hera captured high-resolution images of the Red Planet and its lesser-known moon, Deimos. Scientists believe these new images will provide valuable insights into Deimos, which remains one of the most mysterious celestial bodies in our solar system.
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne confirmed that Hera completed its Mars flyby on Wednesday, maneuvering past the planet and its two moons. The European Space Agency (ESA) shared these remarkable images in a live-streamed webcast, allowing the world to see Mars and Deimos from a new perspective.
“We have some great images of Mars,” said Stefan Ulamec, an Austrian geophysicist involved with the mission. “But perhaps even more exciting is the rare opportunity to see Deimos’ far side in such detail. This might be one of the highest-resolution images of Deimos ever taken.”
Deimos, the smaller of Mars’ two moons, has been less studied compared to its sibling, Phobos. Scientists have far fewer images of Deimos, making each new capture extremely valuable. Patrick Michel, Hera’s principal investigator, emphasized the significance of this rare imaging opportunity, explaining how these pictures could help improve our understanding of the Martian system.
Hera’s Role in Protecting Earth from Asteroids
Hera is the ESA’s first planetary defense mission, launched in October last year. Its main objective is to gather scientific data from Dimorphos, the small asteroid moonlet that was deliberately struck by NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft in 2022.
DART’s impact altered Dimorphos’ trajectory, demonstrating that asteroid deflection is a viable method for planetary defense. However, scientists need more data to understand the long-term effects of such an impact. “Two years ago, we changed the course of an asteroid,” said Ian Carnelli, Hera’s mission manager. “Now, Hera will complete the story by studying the aftermath of that collision.”
The probe’s findings will help refine asteroid deflection techniques, ensuring Earth has a tested method to protect itself from potentially hazardous space rocks. “This is like an insurance policy for Earth,” Carnelli explained. “If a dangerous asteroid ever comes our way, we need to be ready.”
Why Did Hera Fly Past Mars?
Hera’s Mars flyby was not part of the original mission plan, but scientists modified its trajectory to take advantage of the opportunity. The flyby allowed Hera to adjust its course toward the Didymos system while using Mars’ gravitational pull to save fuel.
“This maneuver shortened Hera’s journey by several months,” an ESA report stated. “By harnessing Mars’ gravity, the probe was able to accelerate without using additional fuel.”
This energy-saving technique, sometimes called “planetary slingshot,” is commonly used in space missions. Carnelli described it as “harvesting planetary energy,” a method that reduces fuel costs and mission time.
During the Mars flyby, Hera’s instruments also collected environmental data. Scientists will analyze the images and measurements to improve their understanding of Mars’ atmosphere and its moons. While Hera’s main mission remains focused on asteroid deflection, these additional observations provide unexpected scientific benefits.
The Importance of Planetary Defense
The mission’s broader goal is to develop strategies for protecting Earth from asteroid impacts. Experts warn that while large asteroid impacts are rare, they pose a real threat. Some scientists believe a similar event wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
Brian May, an astrophysicist and former Queen guitarist, attended the ESA’s live event. He emphasized the mission’s significance, stating, “This is crucial for all of us. If an asteroid of significant size were to hit Earth, the consequences would be catastrophic. Missions like Hera help us prepare for that possibility.”
May, who has been involved in space science for years, noted that many asteroids go undetected until they pass near Earth. If one were to be on a collision course, humanity would need a reliable method to deflect it. The DART and Hera missions represent the first steps in developing that capability.
What’s Next for Hera?
Now that Hera has completed its Mars flyby, it will continue its journey toward Dimorphos. The probe is expected to arrive at its destination next year. Once there, it will closely examine the asteroid’s surface, measure the impact crater left by DART, and analyze changes in its orbit.
The mission will also test new technologies for autonomous navigation in deep space. Unlike previous missions, Hera will use advanced AI systems to guide itself, reducing its reliance on direct commands from Earth.
Hera’s data will help scientists determine whether similar asteroid deflection techniques could be used in the future. If successful, this approach could become a standard method for planetary defense.