Dimorphos in sight: Europe's Hera probe gets its 1st look at battered space rock (photo)

The European Space Agency’s Hera mission has achieved a critical milestone as it approaches the Didymis and Dimorphos binary asteroid system. The spacecraft is currently equipped to distinguish between the two distinct rocky objects within the system for the first time. This observation marks a significant step forward following NASA’s DART impactor mission which successfully altered Dimorphos’ orbit. Hera’s primary objective is to meticulously analyze the effects of the DART test on Dimorphos, providing detailed data about its composition and shape. Scientists anticipate that this close-up examination will offer invaluable insights into planetary defense strategies and the dynamics of small bodies in our solar system.