The Hera mission, part of an international planetary defense initiative, aims to study the aftermath of NASA's earlier DART mission. Hera will closely examine the Didymos binary asteroid system, specifically focusing on the smaller moon, Dimorphos, which was impacted by DART. By conducting detailed observations, Hera will gather crucial data on the asteroid's surface characteristics, internal structure, and the effects of the DART impact, providing valuable insights into asteroid deflection techniques for future planetary defense efforts.

Equipped with advanced imaging and radar systems, Hera will also deploy two small CubeSats, Juventas and Milani, to enhance its exploration capabilities. These CubeSats will perform various measurements, including subsurface analyses, to map out the impact region. This mission represents the next step in refining techniques for asteroid redirection, preparing humanity to better mitigate potential future threats from near-Earth objects.

The launch date was Monday, October 7, 2024 at 2:52 PM (UTC).