Hera spacecraft

Hera is a small spacecraft for deep space possessing comparable autonomy to a self-driving car. Its optimised design has benefited from multiple ESA studies of asteroid missions across the last two decades, most recently the proposed Asteroid Impact Mission.

Powered by solar arrays with a hydrazine propulsion system, Hera is a small-scale mission in interplanetary terms. The spacecraft's cube-shaped body measures 1.6 m across per side, plus solar arrays that stretch 11.5 m when fully deployed. Hera is roughly the size of a small car and weighs in about 1150 kg fully-fuelled – which is compact compared to the van-sized, 3 tonne Rosetta comet-chaser.