On March 12, 2025, the European Space Agency's (ESA) Hera mission will perform an anticipated flyby of Mars, marking a significant milestone in planetary defense efforts. This remarkable maneuver will leverage Mars' gravitational pull to alter Hera's trajectory towards the Didymos binary asteroid system, effectively shortening the spacecraft's journey by several months and conserving invaluable fuel resources.

This historic flyby will be the first opportunity for Hera to utilize its scientific instruments in a practical setting, allowing scientists to capture images of Deimos, one of Mars’ two moons known for its mystery and intriguing characteristics. Hera will begin to “see” Mars approximately ten days prior to its closest approach, at which point the planet will appear as 10 pixels wide from the spacecraft’s perspective.

Hera is expected to pass within an astounding 5,000 kilometers of Mars’ surface and a mere 300 kilometers from Deimos, providing an extraordinary chance to gather unprecedented data. In addition to its primary target, the spacecraft will also capture images of Mars’ larger moon, Phobos, during its departure.

Despite the complex gravitational maneuver, Hera's speed relative to Mars will remain unchanged. This clever trajectory adjustment is designed to maximize fuel efficiency, paving the way for Hera's continued journey toward Didymos.

Mark your calendars! On March 13 at 11:50 CET, the mission's science team will host a star-studded webcast to share the stunning images and data gathered during this flyby, making it a must-watch event for space enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Gravity assists like this one are a critical component of ESA’s interplanetary missions, meticulously planned by the Flight Dynamics Team at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Germany. The strategic alterations in trajectory enable spacecraft to gain velocity or change direction, optimizing their journeys across the solar system. Additionally, the planning process incorporates advanced visualization tools like SPICE (Spacecraft, Planet, Instrument, C-matrix, Events) software, developed by experts at the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Spain.

As ESA pushes the boundaries of exploration and research, the Hera mission promises to deepen our understanding of asteroids and enhance global planetary defense initiatives. Stay tuned for more updates as this thrilling adventure unfolds!