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.

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.