France Security and Defense

Hera Mission for Planetary Defence

The European Space Agency (ESA) is a multinational organization dedicated to space research, exploration, and the development of space technology. As part of its ongoing efforts to advance planetary defence capabilities, ESA leads the Hera mission, which focuses on understanding asteroid behavior and testing asteroid deflection techniques.

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Hera Mission

ESA’s Hera mission, which successfully launched on October 7, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is a critical component of the Asteroid Impact & Deflection Assessment (AIDA) collaboration with NASA. The mission follows NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) and will study the effects of the DART impact on Dimorphos, the moonlet of the binary asteroid system Didymos.

Hera’s primary objective is to assess the kinetic impactor technique’s effectiveness in deflecting potentially hazardous asteroids. The mission also aims to enhance our understanding of asteroid characteristics and behavior.

Client's Needs

In order to achieve these objectives, reliable communication between the Hera mothership and its CubeSats (Milani and Juventas) is essential for:

Executing precise commands.
Transmitting critical scientific and status data.
Facilitating smooth operation in a harsh space environment.

Given the mission’s high-stakes objectives and the need for continuous data transmission, ESA required antennas that could meet stringent performance standards for deep-space communication. Additionally, GomSpace played a vital role by developing the Juventas CubeSat, which will conduct detailed investigations of Dimorphos’ internal structure using radar and gravimetry instruments.

Why Anywaves Antennas

Anywaves Antennas were selected and suited to the mission based on the following factors:

Proven Performance: Anywaves’ antennas have a track record of reliability in previous space missions.
Custom Engineering: The ability to adapt antenna specifications to meet unique mission constraints, such as frequency shifts and bandwidth requirements.
Robust Design: Antennas capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, radiation, and the rigors of space.
Space-Grade Manufacturing: Compliance with rigorous quality and testing standards required for space-grade equipment.

Provided Solution

To address the Hera mission’s communication needs, Anywaves provided 12 Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) S-Band antennas for the Milani and Juventas CubeSats. Juventas, developed by GomSpace, plays a crucial role in probing the asteroid’s subsurface and measuring its gravitational field. The key specifications and adaptations of these antennas include:

Frequency: 2430 MHz (shifted frequency)
Bandwidth: 40 MHz
Function: Reliable two-way communication between the Hera mothership and CubeSats for command transmission and data relay.

These antennas were customized to optimize data flow, ensure seamless operation, and meet strict power consumption and weight constraints.

In order to achieve these objectives, reliable communication between the Hera mothership and its CubeSats (Milani and Juventas) is essential for:

Executing precise commands.
Transmitting critical scientific and status data.
Facilitating smooth operation in a harsh space environment.

Anywaves Antennas were selected and suited to the mission based on the following factors:

Proven Performance: Anywaves’ antennas have a track record of reliability in previous space missions.
Custom Engineering: The ability to adapt antenna specifications to meet unique mission constraints, such as frequency shifts and bandwidth requirements.
Robust Design: Antennas capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, radiation, and the rigors of space.
Space-Grade Manufacturing: Compliance with rigorous quality and testing standards required for space-grade equipment.

Frequency: 2430 MHz (shifted frequency)
Bandwidth: 40 MHz
Function: Reliable two-way communication between the Hera mothership and CubeSats for command transmission and data relay.

These antennas were customized to optimize data flow, ensure seamless operation, and meet strict power consumption and weight constraints.

Product Chosen

S-Band TT&C Antenna

Anywaves S-Band antenna is our flagship S-Band TT&C (Telemetry, Tracking and Control) antenna with a strong flight heritage and a TRL 9.

Perfectly suited to LEO platforms, Anywaves S-Band TT&C Antenna operates both in transmission for telemetry and in reception for telecommand.

Its wide beam coverage enables the best satellite availability for TT&C link. In pair work, Anywaves S-band TT&C antenna provides an omni-directional coverage to enhance the satellite availability.

CNESAdvance & CNES SME Labels
Full Duplex Telemetry & Telecommand
Radome protection against harsh environment
Acceptance Tests included
Test cap compatible
ITAR Free

Discover our S-Band TT&C Antenna

Hera approaching Didymos asteroids pillars

Results

Anywaves’ S-band antennas are essential for maintaining the radio link between the Hera mothership and its CubeSats, Milani and Juventas. These antennas enable the transmission of critical commands, such as position, velocity, and action directives, from the Hera mothership to the CubeSats. Additionally, they facilitate the return of housekeeping status data and scientific payload information, including images and measurements, from the CubeSats back to the mothership.

As Hera progresses on its journey, it has already demonstrated successful deep-space maneuvers, including a burn towards Mars and capturing images of the Earth and Moon. These milestones underscore the importance of reliable communication systems in navigating and operating in deep space. The continuous link enabled by Anywaves’ antennas contributes significantly to Hera’s ability to fulfill its mission of studying asteroid deflection techniques and enhancing planetary defence strategies.

Oct 7, 2024