The Hera Mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch in 2024 with the goal of exploring the Didymos pair of near-Earth asteroids. This mission serves multiple purposes, including testing planetary defense strategies, gaining a deeper understanding of asteroids, and showcasing innovative technologies. One of the key components of the Hera mission is the Juventas CubeSat, which will carry the smallest space radar called JuRa. This radar, developed by IPAG and EmTroniX, builds upon technology used in ESA’s previous Rosetta mission.
JuRa radar will be integrated into the Juventas CubeSat and aims to achieve the first-ever radar imaging of an asteroid’s interior. The target of this groundbreaking radar is the Dimorphos asteroid, which experienced a change in its orbit due to the impact of NASA’s DART spacecraft in September 2022. The radar’s compact size of only 10 cm makes it the smallest radar instrument to be used in space, and it holds the distinction of being the first radar to investigate an asteroid’s inner structure.
The significance of this achievement is acknowledged by Alain Hérique of Institut de Planétologie et d’Astrophysique de Grenoble (IPAG) at the University Grenoble Alpes in France, who leads the instrument’s development. The radar’s delivery marks a significant milestone, with ongoing efforts to integrate it with the rest of the CubeSat and optimize its performance for the space environment. The instrument’s operational procedures will also be fine-tuned, including testing its functionality through hardware-in-the-loop experiments.
The Juventas CubeSat, equipped with the JuRa radar, is scheduled to travel to the Didymos binary asteroid system in 2024. It will focus on the Dimorphos moonlet within the larger Didymos asteroid, aiming to penetrate up to 100 meters beneath the surface. The Juventas CubeSat is a ‘6-unit’ CubeSat, measuring 10x20x30 cm, and it carries the JuRa radar instrument, which measures 9.5×9.5×9.5 cm and fits within a single CubeSat unit. The radar antennas, manufactured by Astronika in Poland, are 1.5 meters long and will be deployed like tape measures.
The radar’s electronics are developed by EmTroniX in Luxembourg, a company with experience in designing avionics for ‘New Space’ missions. Cedric Lorant, EmTroniX co-founder and CEO, expresses anticipation for the full integration and testing of the radar, acknowledging the importance of assessing its performance in the operational environment.
The JuRa radar’s design is a collaboration between IPAG and the Chair for Radio Frequency and Photonics Engineering of Technical University Dresden. The design draws from a radar system previously used in ESA’s Rosetta mission to explore comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko. IPAG’s expertise extends to radar systems for other space missions, such as NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and ESA’s Juice.
In conclusion, the Hera Mission represents a significant step forward in space exploration, with the Juventas CubeSat and its JuRa radar at the forefront of scientific innovation. This mission holds promise for advancing our understanding of asteroids and their composition, while also demonstrating the capabilities of cutting-edge technology in space exploration.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Asteroid Radar Exploration
What is the purpose of the Hera Mission by ESA?
The Hera Mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) aims to explore the Didymos pair of near-Earth asteroids, conducting planetary defense tests, asteroid research, and technology demonstrations.
What is the significance of the Juventas CubeSat in the Hera Mission?
The Juventas CubeSat, part of the Hera Mission, carries the JuRa radar, the smallest space radar, designed to perform radar imaging of an asteroid’s interior, specifically targeting the Dimorphos asteroid.
How small is the JuRa radar?
The JuRa radar, developed for the Juventas CubeSat, holds the distinction of being the smallest radar instrument in space, measuring only 9.5×9.5×9.5 cm, and it’s the first radar to investigate the interior of an asteroid.
What was the impact of NASA’s DART spacecraft on the Dimorphos asteroid?
In September 2022, NASA’s DART spacecraft caused a shift in the orbit of the Dimorphos asteroid, creating a plume of 10,000 km in space. This event provided an opportunity for the JuRa radar to study the asteroid’s altered state.
How is the JuRa radar’s integration progressing?
The JuRa radar’s delivery marks a significant milestone, and efforts are ongoing to integrate it into the Juventas CubeSat. Additionally, optimizations are being made to ensure its optimal performance in space.
What is the collaboration behind the JuRa radar’s design?
The JuRa radar’s design is a collaboration between IPAG and the Chair for Radio Frequency and Photonics Engineering of Technical University Dresden. It draws from previous radar technology used in ESA’s Rosetta mission.
What is the operational goal of the Juventas CubeSat’s JuRa radar?
The JuRa radar within the Juventas CubeSat is set to perform the first-ever radar sounding of an asteroid, peering up to 100 meters deep into the Dimorphos moonlet, providing valuable insights into its interior composition.
What other missions have involved IPAG’s expertise in radar systems?
IPAG has contributed to radar systems for various space missions, including NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and ESA’s Juice mission, showcasing their expertise in planetary exploration and research.
What is the expected operational duration of the Juventas CubeSat’s radar activities?
The JuRa radar on the Juventas CubeSat is planned to operate for at least 45 hours during the two-month working life of the CubeSat, conducting radar sounding and data collection activities.
What is the overall legacy of the Hera Mission and JuRa radar technology?
The Hera Mission and the JuRa radar represent significant contributions to space exploration, demonstrating innovative technology, advancing our understanding of asteroids, and paving the way for future missions and discoveries.
More about Asteroid Radar Exploration
- ESA’s Hera Mission
- Juventas CubeSat
- JuRa Radar
- IPAG – Institut de Planétologie et d’Astrophysique de Grenoble
- Technical University Dresden
- ESA’s Rosetta Mission
- NASA’s DART Mission
- ESA’s Juice Mission
