After a smooth 76-minute ascent, Hera separated from its launcher, and mission control at ESA's ESOC operations center in Germany assumed control. Hera's telemetry was first received at 18:12 CEST through NASA's Goldstone station, confirming its separation from the rocket. Shortly after, Hera's 5-meter solar arrays deployed, allowing it to start generating power.

ESA's Flight Dynamics team confirmed that the spacecraft was placed in the correct orbit, and mission controllers immediately began activating its core systems. Over the next 54 hours, Hera tested its star trackers, reaction wheels, communication antennas, and thrusters, all critical for its deep space journey.

"It has been an action-packed few days," commented Sylvain Lodiot, Hera Spacecraft Operations Manager. "We have fine-tuned some systems, but overall, Hera's first days in space have gone very well. The hardware is performing well, and we have already uplinked a few software updates."

Currently, Hera is over a million kilometers from Earth. In the coming weeks, its scientific instruments will be gradually powered on and tested, preparing for its arrival at Didymos in late 2026. Hera will gather crucial data on the asteroid system, including insights into the structure of Dimorphos, Didymos' moonlet, which was impacted by NASA's DART mission in 2022 to test asteroid deflection.

Hera will also be the first spacecraft to study a binary asteroid system up close, offering valuable information about how such systems form and function. Binary asteroids represent about 15% of known asteroids. Hera's mission will also include a flyby of Mars in March 2025 to study Deimos, one of Mars' moons, and further test its instruments before reaching Didymos.

Hera's detailed survey of Dimorphos is scheduled to begin in 2027, making the 151-meter moonlet one of the most thoroughly studied objects in the Solar System.

Reflecting on the mission's progress so far, Ignacio Tanco, Hera Flight Operations Director, expressed satisfaction with the spacecraft's early success: "Hera went through a tense and improbable launch, but together we have converted that into a very smooth and successful LEOP."

Hera Mission Manager Ian Carnelli added, "Hera is an incredible mission: there is never a dull moment. Every stage of the mission threw challenges and surprises at us, but everything has gone even better than I could have hoped. I cannot wait to continue this adventure."

"Didymos, here we come."

Related Links
Hera at ESA
Asteroid and Comet Mission News, Science and Technology