Europe’s Hera spacecraft has reached a key milestone by capturing the first clear images of the asteroid pair involved in NASA’s groundbreaking 2022 experiment to alter an asteroid’s orbit. As Hera draws closer, it prepares to investigate surprising results from the collision that shifted the smaller asteroid’s trajectory more than expected.
- Hera captured first distinct images of asteroid pair Didymos and Dimorphos
- NASA’s DART spacecraft altered Dimorphos’s orbit more than predicted
- Hera will conduct detailed analysis with onboard instruments and CubeSats
What happened
On September 26, 2022, NASA’s DART spacecraft deliberately collided with the asteroid Dimorphos at 6.1 kilometers per second, successfully changing its orbit around the larger Didymos. This impact proved that human technology can alter the path of a potentially hazardous asteroid. Now, four years later, Europe’s Hera mission has reached the binary asteroid system and captured the first images that clearly separate the two bodies, offering new opportunities for close examination.
Hera used on-board cameras to acquire its initial detailed images in October 2026 while about 1,280 kilometers from the asteroids, which are roughly 197 million kilometers from Earth. The images mark the beginning of a close approach phase during which Hera will study the asteroid surface, orbit changes, and debris fields left behind since the impact event.
Why it feels good
The DART impact and Hera’s investigation represent a major step forward in planetary defense—a global priority to protect Earth from asteroid threats. The experiment’s measurable change to Dimorphos’s orbit demonstrates that humanity can respond to cosmic dangers with practical action, providing reassurance about our ability to prepare for future asteroid encounters.
Hera’s mission builds on this success by seeking to understand unexpected aspects of the impact, such as the larger-than-predicted orbital shift. Gaining insight into the physical properties of asteroids and their reactions to high-velocity collisions strengthens our knowledge, making asteroid deflection a more reliable tool in planetary safety.
What to enjoy or watch next
As Hera continues its approach, it plans to release two small CubeSats to gather even closer observations of the asteroids and the impact site. These shoebox-sized satellites will help map the asteroid’s surface, composition, and debris distribution, enriching mission data beyond what Hera alone can provide.
Looking ahead to late November and beyond, Hera aims to produce the first high-resolution images of Dimorphos and conduct detailed measurements of the collision aftermath. The mission’s findings will not only enhance scientific understanding but also inform global efforts to safeguard Earth from future asteroid threats.