The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Hera spacecraft has completed a flyby of Mars, capturing hundreds of images of the Red Planet and its small moon Deimos. The mission aimed to use Mars’ gravity assist to accelerate the spacecraft and adjust its flight path. Meanwhile, scientists are eager to study the asteroid Dimorphos, which was impacted by a NASA spacecraft in 2022.
During the flyby, Hera’s cameras captured remarkable images of Deimos, showing it in unprecedented detail – including the small island gliding above a crater-scarred Martian desert. The team also managed to fly behind Deimos, providing a rare view of the moon’s far side. Scientists will analyze these images further, which may reveal more about the mysterious origins of Mars’ two moons.
Hera is now en route to Dimorphos, where it will conduct a close-up study in late 2026. This mission builds upon NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) experiment, which successfully changed Dimorphos’ orbit around Didymos. However, scientists still seek clarity on the asteroid’s physical nature and response to DART’s collision.
As Hera continues its journey, it will provide valuable insights into stopping lethal asteroids from striking Earth. With this mission, scientists can better prepare for potential threats, making it a crucial step in planetary defense.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/science/mars-deimos-hera-flyby.html