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ESA’s Hera spacecraft successfully completed a flyby of Mars and its moons Phobos and Deimos on March 12, 2025. This flyby marked an important step in its mission to the Didymos asteroid system to develop asteroid defense methods. Hera used Mars’ gravity to effectively alter its trajectory and collect new scientific data.
Important milestone for asteroid defense
ESA’s Hera spacecraft completed a strategic flyby of Mars and its moons Phobos and Deimos on March 12, 2025. The flyby marks a crucial step in its mission to the Didymos system, where it will contribute to the development of reliable asteroid defense methods. By harnessing Mars’ gravity, Hera optimized its trajectory and approached Mars to within about 5,000 kilometers, coming within about 1,000 kilometers of Deimos. This proximity enabled the acquisition of new detailed image data of Mars and Deimos, which are now being scientifically analyzed.
ESA’s Hera spacecraft: Technological innovations on board
The German Space Agency’s AFC camera system, developed by Jena-Optronik, played a central role in capturing the monochromatic images. Scientifically supervised by DLR, the cameras provided important image information in the visible spectrum, playing a key role in the spacecraft’s scientific investigations and navigation. From Berlin, Dr. Jean-Baptiste Vincent, the project’s Principal Investigator, coordinated the analysis of the acquired data. Two identical cameras were used for systematic data collection to support the primary mission in the Didymos system.
Advanced scientific instruments
In addition to the Asteroid Framing Cameras, two other camera systems were used: the Hyperscout-H visual near-infrared spectrometer and the Thermal Infrared Imager (TIRI) of the Japanese space agency JAXA. Hyperscout-H operates in 25 visible and near-infrared spectral bands to characterize mineral compositions. The TIRI, in turn, analyzes surface temperatures and the physical properties of the rocks, such as roughness and porosity, and supplements the collected data with valuable thermal insights.
Calibration and scientific evaluation
The data obtained during the flyby will not only be used to explore the Martian moon Deimos, but also to calibrate the scientific instruments for further studies in the Didymos system. The DLR Institute of Planetary Research is responsible for both the planning of the scientific observations and the creation and evaluation of datasets. These include topographical models, detailed maps, and support the development of innovative defense methods against potential asteroid threats.
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is a leader in aerospace research and makes a significant contribution to the European space mission. DLR’s participation not only ensures scientific expertise but also coordinates technological development in close cooperation with ESA to ensure Earth‘s long-term security.
Exploration of the Martian moons: Mission MMX launches in 2026
With the MMX mission, the Japanese space agency JAXA plans to uncover the secrets of Mars’ moons Phobos and Deimos. In cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the French space agency CNES, a rover will provide important data to study the formation of the moons and planetary systems.
Objectives of the MMX mission
The Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) aims to research the formation of the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, as well as the planet formation process in the solar system. The German Aerospace Center (DLR), together with the French space agency CNES, is contributing a specially developed rover to collect important data from the lunar surface.
Scientific contribution of the rover
The approximately 25-kilogram Idefix rover will study the geological, physical, and mineralogical properties of Phobos’ lunar surface. A particular focus will be on demonstrating mobility in a low-gravity environment. This data will support not only the orbiter’s measurements but also the future landing of an exploration module on Phobos.
Partners and techniques involved
Several DLR institutes are involved in the mission under the leadership of the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, including the Institute of Space Systems, Lightweight Systems, and Optical Sensor Systems. The rover’s equipment includes the NavCAM stereo camera, the miniRAD radiometer, and the RAX Raman spectrometer. In addition, two special cameras (WheelCAM) are integrated to document the interaction of the wheels with the lunar surface.
Schedule and communication
The mission will launch in 2026, with the rover expected to land on Phobos and collect samples in 2029. These samples will be returned to Earth in 2031. Communication with Earth will be handled via the orbiter, while the rover will be operated from the control centers of CNES in Toulouse and DLR in Cologne (MUSC).
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is a leading research institution that makes important contributions to technological development in aerospace. Through innovative projects, DLR contributes to answering fundamental questions in space research and promotes international collaborations.
Background information: Swing-by – course correction with planetary swing
A swing-by or gravity assist is a spaceflight maneuver in which a spacecraft uses the gravity of a planet or moon to change its speed and direction. The probe is guided to fly past the celestial body, accelerating and redirecting its gravitational pull. This principle saves fuel and allows for efficient access to distant targets in the solar system. Hera uses the Mars swing-by to optimize its journey to the Didymos asteroid system.
