SpaceX launches Hera asteroid mission as NASA's Europa Clipper faces delays due to Hurricane Milton

SpaceX successfully launched the European Space Agency's Hera mission on Monday. This mission aims to study the asteroid Dimorphos, which was impacted by NASA's DART spacecraft in 2022. Hera will provide detailed images and data about the asteroid's condition. The Hera mission, costing nearly $400 million, will arrive at Dimorphos in late 2026. It follows DART's successful test of a planetary defense technique, which altered Dimorphos's orbit. Previous observations were limited and unclear. NASA's Europa Clipper mission is currently on hold due to Hurricane Milton. The launch of Hera proceeded as planned, marking a significant step in understanding asteroid impacts and planetary defense.