365 days after launch, ESA’s Hera spacecraft continues its journey to the Didymos–Dimorphos binary asteroid system, with cosine’s HyperScout H hyperspectral imager operating as expected.
HyperScout H, the first hyperspectral imager designed for deep space as part of the Hera mission, has remained fully functional throughout its first year in flight. Calibration activities and data acquisitions tasks are recurrently performed, confirming the instrument’s stability and data quality under interplanetary conditions.
The instrument is now in its cruise configuration, with further calibrations planned as Hera approaches its target in the first quarter of 2026. Upon arrival, HyperScout H will conduct detailed hyperspectral imaging of the surfaces of Didymos and its moon Dimorphos. The data will provide insights into mineralogical composition, and changes caused by NASA’s DART impact on Dimorphos in 2022.
HyperScout H’s compact design, adapted from cosine’s Earth observation heritage, enables high-quality hyperspectral measurements within the strict mass and volume constraints of a deep space mission.
Key mission milestones
October 2024 – Hera launched aboard a Falcon 9 from Cap Canaveral, and HyperScout H took a spectral snapshot of the Earth-Moon system.
March 2025 – Mars and Deimos flyby used for both navigation and calibration. HyperScout H acquired hyperspectral images of Mars and its moon Deimos, demonstrating performance and providing unique scientific observations .
October 2025 – One year into the mission, HyperScout H continues to operate nominally in deep space.
Contribution to planetary defence
HyperScout H will deliver datasets essential to understanding the effects of kinetic impact on an asteroid. These measurements will support the development of validated models for future planetary defence missions, where rapid compositional and structural characterization of small bodies is critical.
Discover how Hyperscout contributes to another deep-space adventure: ESA’s Ramses mission to Apophis.
About cosine
cosine is a leading worldwide company in the development of space instrumentation, such as Silicon Pore Optics for astronomy and remote sensing solutions with onboard analytics for Earth Observation and planetary science. cosine combines physics and technology to bring out-of-the-box solutions to its clients. cosine has been developing and delivering innovative measurement systems for space and industrial applications since 1998. The company operates more than 1,000 m2 of cleanrooms and high-tech assembly facilities to build and test the systems we produce for customers at our headquarters in Sassenheim, The Netherlands and at subsidiaries in Berlin, Germany and Benevento, Italy.
