Hera’s Mars and Moon close-up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6swiji-7ri

On March 12, 2025, ESA’s Hera spacecraft took down something special – Mars and its tiny Moon Deimos’ rare close-range flight. The spacecraft flies just 5,000 kilometers above the surface of Mars and passes within 300 kilometers of Deimos. During the pass, Hera’s asteroid-framed camera captured stunning shots, which later enhanced the color to highlight known surface features. result? These two distant worlds are rare and breathtaking.

This flight is not just for display, it marks the first time Hera has used the complete scientific instrument of Earth and Outside the Moon. Mars and the dusty little moon were also turned on while the main camera and two other instruments, as well as the Hyperscout H (hyperspectral imager) and TIRI (the thermal infrared imager).

Hera was launched in October 2024 and ended up heading to Dimorphos Canteroid, NASA’s dart mission. This Mars encounter was actually a clever gravity-assisted operation, while conserving fuel, while shooting Herra on the way.

As it glitters at a speed of 9 kilometers per second, Hera manages to take an image of the far end of Deimos, an area we don’t see often. Scientists believe that Deimos may be the result of captured asteroids or huge impacts, and this close-up appearance can provide new clues. The data will also help support Japan’s upcoming MMX mission, which will also head to Mars satellites.

Now back on the route, Hera is heading towards its main target, approaching and individual targets on the asteroid belt. But, thanks to this pit stop on Mars, it has provided some serious science.