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Small BodiesStories, updates, insights, and original analysis from The Planetary Society.
Hera launches to study the aftermath of an asteroid deflection test
The European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft launched on Oct. 7, 2024, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It will travel to the Didymos-Dimorphos asteroid system to study the aftermath of the first-ever field test of an asteroid deflection technique.
The Hera launch: What to expect
The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing to launch a mission to study the aftermath of DART's impact on the asteroid moonlet Dimorphos.
What DART has taught us so far
NASA's DART mission showed that if we detect a dangerous asteroid headed toward Earth, knocking it off course with a spacecraft is a potential option.
Cometary sights and sounds
Discover what causes a comet’s color and what it might be like to listen to one whiz by.
Best space pictures of the month: October 2022
Stunning views of Europa and the Eagle Nebula headline our roundup of space images released last month.
Creepy Cosmos! Scary space! Petrifying planets!
An especially spooky Halloween edition of The Downlink.
Good omens
The future is looking brighter thanks to a proven asteroid deflection technique and an array of visionary ideas for space exploration innovation.
DART impact: What to expect
Get ready for NASA's demonstration of a planetary defense technique that could deflect a future asteroid on course to hit Earth.