Hera plus one: enter the CubeSat

## Hera’s CubeSat Companions: A Closer Look

**Hera, ESA’s first planetary defense mission, is set to revolutionize our understanding of asteroid deflection techniques.** Launching in October 2023, Hera will rendezvous with the Didymos binary asteroid system, home to the Dimorphos moonlet. This enigmatic celestial body holds the distinction of being the first object in our solar system to have its orbit altered by human intervention, thanks to NASA’s DART mission in 2022.

**Hera’s mission extends beyond simply observing Dimorphos.** It aims to gather crucial data to understand the impact of DART’s collision and assess its effectiveness as a planetary defense strategy. This ambitious endeavor is bolstered by the inclusion of two innovative CubeSats: Juventas and Milani.

**Juventas, equipped with a radar instrument, will embark on the unprecedented task of probing an asteroid’s internal structure.** This groundbreaking exploration will unveil the hidden secrets of Dimorphos’ composition, providing invaluable insights into its formation and evolution. Additionally, Juventas boasts a gravimeter, meticulously measuring the asteroid’s gravitational field, further enriching our understanding of its physical properties.

**Milani, on the other hand, focuses on Dimorphos’ surface characteristics.** Its multispectral imager will map the asteroid’s mineralogy, revealing the distribution of various minerals across its surface. This detailed analysis will shed light on the asteroid’s geological history and potential resource potential. Furthermore, Milani’s dust surveyor will analyze the surrounding dust environment, providing crucial data for future spacecraft missions.

**The synergy between Hera and its CubeSat companions promises a wealth of scientific discoveries.** The inter-satellite links connecting the trio will enable precise measurement of Dimorphos’ mass by analyzing minute gravity-driven Doppler shifts. This collaborative effort will enhance the accuracy of our understanding of the asteroid’s physical properties.

**Hera’s CubeSats represent a pioneering step in deep-space exploration.** Their compact size and advanced capabilities offer unparalleled flexibility and affordability, paving the way for future missions with even more ambitious scientific goals. As Hera embarks on its journey to Didymos, its CubeSat companions stand ready to unlock the secrets of this fascinating binary asteroid system, furthering our knowledge of the cosmos and enhancing our ability to protect our planet from potential threats.