Key Takeaways
- ESA’s Hera mission was launched to study the asteroid Dimorphos, which had its orbit altered by NASA’s DART mission.
- Frans Snik created a detailed LEGO model of Hera and its accompanying CubeSats, along with smaller, cartoon-themed versions for enthusiasts.
- Paolo Concari designed an accurate, 98-piece model of Hera using LEGO bricks, incorporating feedback from his children during the development process.
Hera Mission Launch and LEGO Models
ESA’s Hera mission, a significant step in planetary defense, was launched in October 2024 and has recently completed a flyby of Mars. The mission aims to study the Dimorphos asteroid, which was impacted by NASA’s DART spacecraft in 2022, making it the first asteroid to have its orbit altered by human intervention. By collecting close-up data from Dimorphos, Hera could enhance our understanding of asteroid deflection techniques.
To commemorate this extensive effort, ESA commissioned a detailed LEGO model of the Hera spacecraft, crafted by Frans Snik, an astronomer at Leiden University known for his astronomical models. The LEGO representation, which incorporates 4,448 bricks, captures Hera and its twin CubeSats, Milani and Juventas, and was unveiled at the ESA Open Day at ESTEC in the Netherlands prior to the mission’s actual launch.
Recognizing the complexity of Snik’s detailed model, the Hera team also commissioned a series of smaller, cartoon-style LEGO models inspired by the “Incredible Adventures of the Hera mission” animation series. These simpler versions allow enthusiasts to engage with the mission creatively, featuring Hera’s dinosaur mascot and the two targeted asteroids, Didymos and Dimorphos, complete with arms to wave at Hera.
Snik expressed his excitement about the project, noting the technical intricacies of the actual spacecraft, and highlighted the challenge of infusing the LEGO model with detail from the animated series. Assembly instructions and a list of necessary bricks for these models can be downloaded online for fans eager to construct their own versions.
Adding to the LEGO offerings, Paolo Concari, a communications engineer on the Hera mission, designed a scaled-down, 98-piece LEGO model of Hera in his spare time. This endeavor was motivated by a desire to correct inaccuracies in existing LEGO models and ensure his representation was true to life. Using a 3D modeling tool called STUDIO 2.0, Concari focused on detail while also seeking input from his children during the testing phase. The model not only serves as a creative outlet but has also been used by the mission team for educational purposes, simulating the spacecraft’s maneuvers.
Both models embody the educational spirit of the Hera mission, emphasizing public engagement with space exploration. They are made for personal enjoyment and sharing, with no commercial intentions or endorsements from the LEGO Group.
As ESA’s first planetary defense mission, Hera represents a new frontier in our ability to monitor and potentially mitigate asteroid threats, paving the way for future advancements in this vital area of space research.
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