HERA (61449)

COSPAR: 2024-180A | Alt Name: HERA
DECAYED

Image
HERA Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

October 7, 2024

Launch Pad

LC40

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

61449

International Designator

2024-180A

Decay Date

Unknown

Basic Satellite Info

Name

HERA

Alternative Name

HERA

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

ESA

Country

European Space Agency

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
The HERA satellite, also known as 2024-180A and catalogued under NORAD ID 61449, was launched by the ESA on October 7, 2024, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. Its mission is to perform an asteroid flyby. The satellite measures 2.2 meters in length and diameter with a span of 11.5 meters. It has a dry mass of 696 kg and a launch mass of 1081 kg. HERA’s power supply consists of two deployable solar arrays and batteries, and its shape is described as box-like with two panels. The spacecraft was manufactured by OHB/AVIO and stabilized on October 7, 2024, at approximately 16:08 UTC.
Physical Characteristics

Length

2.2

Diameter

2.2

Span

11.5

Dry Mass

696

Launch Mass

1081

Shape

Box+2 pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

HERA

Purpose

Asteroid flyby

Mission

Asteroid flyby

Manufacturer

OHB/AVIO

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

HERA

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

AOCS

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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