Double Asteroid Model

Double Asteroid Model

Here is a model where a smaller asteroid slowly rotates around a larger neighbor. This is a practical re-creation of the double asteroid type system that the ESA Hera mission plans to visit.

On the right you can see the camera, fixed on the 33-meter track. It is approaching a miniature double asteroid system for testing navigation software. Using 3D models of asteroids, scientists tested the mission in the GRALS simulator.

Hera mission will be the first project to study the system of double asteroids. The specific target is the Near-Earth Didim pair. The plan is to apply the surface characteristics of these bodies on an automated basis in order to accurately determine the position of Hera in space and to chart the trajectory of movement. Now GRALS allows you to test real-time navigation selection algorithms.

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