ESA’s Hera asteroid mission is now a single, unified spacecraft ready for testing

The European Space Agency has successfully joined the two halves of its Hera mission. This planetary defense spacecraft, designed to study the Dimorphos and Didymos asteroids, was assembled in Germany to prepare for its upcoming mission into deep space.

The Hera spacecraft consists of two distinct parts: a Propulsion Module and a Core Module. The Propulsion Module serves as the mission's backbone, containing propellant tanks, thrusters, and piping necessary for the two-year journey. The Core Module acts as the brain, housing the onboard computer, mission systems, and scientific instruments.

Assembly occurred at OHB Bremen, where the Core Module was lowered over three hours to align with the Propulsion Module. Precision was critical, with engineers ensuring alignment within tenths of a millimeter. Following this successful mating, the spacecraft—which will also carry two CubeSats—will undergo comprehensive testing to confirm its readiness for an October 2024 launch.

Source: Mating Hera: two become one