March 12, 2025
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
fact-checked
trusted source
proofread
Video: Time lapse simulation of Hera's Mars flyby
On 12 March 2025, ESA's Hera spacecraft for planetary defense performs a flyby of Mars. The gravity of the red planet shifts the spacecraft's trajectory towards the Didymos binary asteroid system, shortening its trip by months and saving substantial fuel.
This is a simulation of that flyby, with closest approach to Martian moon Deimos taking place at 12:07 GMT and Mars occurring at 12:51 GMT. It was made using SPICE (Spacecraft, Planet, Instrument, C-matrix, Events) software. Produced by a team at ESA's ESAC European Space Astronomy Center, this SPICE visualization is used to plan instrument acquisitions during Hera's flyby.
Hera comes to about 5,000 km from the surface of Mars during its flyby. It will also image Deimos, the smaller of Mars's two moons, from a minimum 1000 km away (while venturing as close as 300 km). Hera will also image Mars's larger moon Phobos as it begins to move away from Mars. In this sped-up simulation, Deimos is seen 30 seconds in, at 12:07 GMT, while the more distant star-like Phobos becomes visible at two minutes in, at 12:49 GMT.
Credit: European Space Agency
The spacecraft employs three of its instruments over the course of these close encounters, all located together on the "Asteroid Deck" on top of Hera:
- Hera's Asteroid Framing Camera is formed of two redundant 1020x1020 pixel monochromatic visible light cameras, used for both navigation and science.
- The Thermal Infrared Imager, supplied by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, JAXA, images at mid-infrared wavelengths to determine surface temperatures.
- Hera's Hyperscout H is a hyperspectral imager, observing in 25 visible and near-infrared spectral bands to prospect surface minerals.
Provided by European Space Agency
Citation: Video: Time lapse simulation of Hera's Mars flyby (2025, March 12) retrieved 12 March 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-03-video-lapse-simulation-hera-mars.htmlThis document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
Explore further
Laser-based radiation detector allows testing from a safer distance
3 hours ago
0
Observations of a nearby pulsar wind nebula reveal a radio jet feature with a helical magnetic field inside
4 hours ago
0
Eukaryotic phytoplankton decline due to ocean acidification could significantly impact global carbon cycle
5 hours ago
0
A new protocol to image wave functions in continuous space
6 hours ago
1
Global rooftop solar panels could cool Earth by 0.13°C, modeling study suggests
23 hours ago
0
Get Instant Summarized Text (Gist)
On March 12, 2025, ESA's Hera spacecraft will perform a Mars flyby, using the planet's gravity to adjust its trajectory towards the Didymos binary asteroid system, saving time and fuel. During the flyby, Hera will approach Mars within 5,000 km and image its moons, Deimos and Phobos. The spacecraft will utilize three instruments: a monochromatic camera for navigation and science, a thermal infrared imager for surface temperatures, and a hyperspectral imager for mineral analysis.
This summary was automatically generated using LLM. Full disclaimer
Let us know if there is a problem with our content
Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines).
Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request
-- please select one --Compliments / CritiqueTypos / Errors / InaccuraciesEdit / Removal requestYour message to the editorsYour email (only if you want to be contacted back)Send Feedback
Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.
Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.
E-mail the story
Video: Time lapse simulation of Hera's Mars flyby
Your friend's emailYour emailI would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn moreYour name
Note
Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form.
Your messageSend
