Скачать или смотреть Whats's it look like inside of a space mission? |

The HERA mission by the European Space Agency is designed to be a detailed investigation of the asteroid Dimorphos, following NASA’s successful DART mission. Its main spacecraft is equipped with state-of-the-art payloads to explore the asteroid in depth.

Starting with propulsion, HERA uses a highly efficient chemical propulsion system, which enables precise maneuvers and the ability to orbit Dimorphos after its two-year journey through space. For navigation and positioning, the spacecraft is fitted with a laser altimeter, helping it map the asteroid’s surface in detail.

HERA’s communication system includes a high-gain antenna, ensuring strong and clear data transmission between the spacecraft and Earth, despite the vast distance. For close-up observations, HERA is equipped with the Asteroid Framing Camera, providing high-resolution imagery of Dimorphos’ surface.

The mission carries two CubeSats. One, called Milani, will analyze the minerals on the surface using a visible and infrared spectrometer. The other, Juventas, will use a low-frequency radar to perform the first-ever subsurface probing of an asteroid, revealing what lies beneath Dimorphos’ surface.

Both CubeSats also feature their own small propulsion systems and communication modules, allowing them to operate semi-independently from the main spacecraft and venture closer to the asteroid.

The mission will conclude with the CubeSats touching down to gather additional data on the asteroid’s surface and gravity field, making Dimorphos the most studied asteroid in history. This deep exploration will help us develop methods to protect Earth from potential asteroid threats.