Hera spacecraft inspects Didymos asteroid system to investigate 2022 collision impact consequences
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Space technology (ISRO, missions)· Prelims·
Planetary defense and asteroid redirection: a key GS3 Science & Technology topic.
Why in news
The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft began inspecting the Didymos asteroid system to study the physical consequences of NASA's 2022 collision impact.
Background
The Hera spacecraft is inspecting the Didymos asteroid system, which includes the moonlet Dimorphos. The mission follows NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test, which shortened Dimorphos's orbital period by approximately 33 minutes.
Facts for Prelims
- S&THera: A spacecraft mission by the European Space Agency to inspect the Didymos asteroid system.
- FactDouble Asteroid Redirection Test: NASA mission that shortened the orbital period of the moonlet Dimorphos by approximately 33 minutes.
- S&TDidymos: An asteroid system consisting of a primary asteroid and a moonlet named Dimorphos.
Prelims practice question
What was the approximate reduction in the orbital period of the moonlet Dimorphos during the Double Asteroid Redirection Test?
- (a)45 minutes
- (b)33 minutes
- (c)15 minutes
- (d)60 minutes
Show answer
Answer: (b) 33 minutes — The NASA mission shortened Dimorphos's orbital period by approximately 33 minutes.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the significance of kinetic impactors and planetary defense missions in mitigating the risks posed by Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) to human civilization.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Technical feasibility: Reliability of kinetic impactors versus gravity tractors for altering asteroid trajectories
- Data-driven defense: Importance of in-situ physical data for modeling asteroid composition and structural integrity
Keywords: Planetary Defense · Kinetic Impactor · Space Exploration · Asteroid Redirection · Space Agency
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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.