A Belfast astronomer is set to play a vital role in the European Space Agency’s groundbreaking mission aimed at safeguarding Earth from potential asteroid impacts. Professor Alan Fitzsimmons, based at the Astrophysics Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast, will be stationed at ground control for the ESA Hera mission at the European Space Operations Centre in Germany. The mission, Hera, is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral, Florida, later this month aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Hera’s primary objective is to gather crucial new data and insights on how to deflect asteroids that may pose a threat to Earth. This mission represents the first planned encounter with a binary asteroid in the history of space exploration. With over 35,000 “Near Earth Asteroids” identified by astrophysicists to date, the focus is on understanding and mitigating the potential risk posed by these celestial bodies. While none of the known asteroids are projected to impact Earth within the next century, the continuous discovery of new asteroids necessitates ongoing research into planetary defence strategies.
In a significant development in planetary defence technology, the NASA Dart mission in September 2022 successfully altered the trajectory of the small asteroid moon Dimorphos using kinetic impactor technology. Building on this milestone, Hera will carry out experiments to measure the impact of Dart’s manoeuvre on Dimorphos and study the properties of its parent asteroid, Didymos. By investigating these celestial bodies, Hera aims to enhance scientists’ understanding of asteroid deflection techniques for potential future applications.
Professor Fitzsimmons, a member of the Hera Science Management Board, has been integral in the planning of this planetary defence mission for many years. He emphasised the international collaboration involved in the project, stating, “Scientists and engineers from all over the world have been involved – it’s an example of best practice in international scientific collaboration for the greater good.” Beyond planetary defence, Hera will showcase cutting-edge European technologies for deep space exploration, including autonomous vision-based navigation and CubeSat missions to investigate the asteroids up close.
The mission will feature two CubeSats, Juventas and Milani, equipped with advanced instruments to conduct radar imaging and analysis on Dimorphos and Didymos. If successful, the CubeSats will be deployed on Dimorphos at the conclusion of their missions. Professor Fitzsimmons expressed excitement about the upcoming data collection, highlighting its potential impact on addressing asteroid threats in the future. The ESA’s Hera mission represents a significant advancement in planetary defence capabilities and underscores the importance of international scientific cooperation in safeguarding our planet.