Exploring the Hera Mission: Planetary Defense and Asteroid Insights

This chapter examines the forthcoming Hera mission, a continuation of NASA's DART project aimed at asteroid deflection studies. It highlights Hera's role in investigating the effects of the DART impact on the asteroid Dimorphos, utilizing advanced instruments for detailed analysis. Furthermore, the chapter reflects on the mission's historical context, technological advancements, and the potential for groundbreaking discoveries in planetary defense and asteroid formation processes.