The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched its Hera mission to safeguard Earth from potential asteroid threats, aiming to prevent catastrophic events similar to the extinction of dinosaurs millions of years ago. The spacecraft was sent into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and will reach its destination, the Dimorphos asteroid, in approximately one year.
Dimorphos is unique as it is the only celestial body where humans have successfully altered its orbit. This mission follows NASA's previous DART mission, where a spacecraft deliberately collided with Dimorphos in September 2022 to test asteroid deflection techniques. The impact successfully changed the asteroid's orbit by 33 minutes, marking a historic achievement in planetary defense.
The Hera mission aims to gather detailed data on Dimorphos and its larger companion, Didymos, to enhance our understanding of asteroid deflection strategies. The ESA's initiative is critical in developing a reliable method for protecting Earth from possible future asteroid impacts, as there are over 35,000 known near-Earth objects that could pose a threat.
With this mission, ESA collaborates with other space agencies to monitor and assess the risks associated with asteroids. The ultimate goal is to create an early warning system and devise strategies for planetary defense by 2030, ensuring humanity's safety from potential asteroid disasters.