Introduction to Hera’s Mission
Hera’s mission has taken on a sense of urgency since the discovery of an asteroid known as 2024 YR4 last year, which currently has an estimated 3% chance of colliding with Earth in 2032, as reported by scientists.

Expertise in Planetary Defense
Carnelli, with 20 years of experience working on planetary defense projects, specifically focusing on asteroid defense, has been at the forefront of this endeavor.

A Newfound Sense of Calm
When asked about the potential threat, Carnelli expressed a sense of calm, stating, “We are getting lots of media requests and a lot of people asking what are we going to do? Are we worried?” He responded, “And today, I honestly for the first time in my life, totally say to everybody that we are absolutely calm. We absolutely know what to do. Not only do we know what to do, but it’s not a theoretical solution anymore.”

The Double Asteroid Redirection Test Mission
This confidence stems from the success of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission (DART), completed in October 2022. NASA’s DART spacecraft successfully altered the orbit of Dimorphos, the moon of the Dimorphos binary asteroid, in a measurable way, demonstrating the kinetic impactor deflection technique.

Hera’s Role
Hera’s objective, according to Carnelli, is to gather all necessary scientific data from the asteroid Didymos, turning the DART experiment into a validated and repeatable technique. To achieve this, Hera will deploy two shoebox-sized satellites, known as CubeSats, called Milani and Juventas, which will closely approach the asteroid and possibly land on it. These “nanosatellites” are tasked with studying the impact’s outcome and the asteroid’s structure.

International Cooperation
Hera stands as a model of international cooperation, Carnelli noted. “We have 18 European countries plus Japan, plus the United States, and scientists all over the world,” he explained. “With all the wars and the difficult times we’re going through, I think this is a good example of what humanity can achieve when working together.”