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AkaSci 🛰️AkaSci@fosstodon.org
Nov 6, 2026, 1:27 AM
Here is the first close-up view of the Didymos asteroids taken by the ESA Hera spacecraft from a distance of 60 km.
The 51-m diameter Dimorphos companion asteroid is located below Didymos and is mostly hidden by shadow.
On Sept 26, 2022, the NASA DART spacecraft intentionally crashed into Dimorphos at about 6.1 km/s, shortening its orbit around Didymos by ~33 minutes.
This view of Didymos shows the opposite side of what was seen by DART before impact.
https://www.esa.int/articles/about-us/directorates/operations/space-safety/hera/hera-s-first-close-up-view-of-didymos-asteroids
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AkaSci 🛰️AkaSci@fosstodon.org
Nov 6, 2026, 1:37 AM
Check out this thread from March 12, 2025, when ESA’s Hera spacecraft performed a flyby of Mars.
ESA had a wonderful webcast featuring Dr. Brian May (!) and Dr. Patrick Michel explaining the Hera mission, Mars and its moon Deimos.
https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/114149674725590429
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AkaSci 🛰️AkaSci@fosstodon.org
Nov 6, 2026, 1:51 AM
Over the next 7 months, the ESA Hera mission will study asteroid Dimorphos, measure its mass as well as its shifted orbit and perform its own ‘crash scene investigation’ of the asteroid moon’s impact crater and surrounding surface.
Hera will also deploy two CubeSats, which will fly closer to the asteroid. CubeSat Milani will prospect the mineral make-up of Dimorphos. Juventas will perform the first radar sounding of an asteroid. They might even attempt landing.
https://www.esa.int/articles/about-us/directorates/operations/space-safety/hera/hera-mission-overview
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