1.05
AU FROM SUN
DISTANCE
157,077,764 km
0 years, 306 days
MISSION DURATION
TOTAL
610
KG
LAUNCH MASS
2
TARGETS
Asteroid Didymos, Asteroid Dimorphos
DART is a impactor mission by NASA / APL targeting Asteroid Dimorphos. Launched November 24, 2021. Currently 1.05 AU from the Sun.
ABOUT DART
DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) was humanity’s first planetary defense test, deliberately crashing into asteroid Dimorphos on September 26, 2022, to change its orbit. The impact was far more effective than predicted, shortening the moon’s orbit by 33 minutes. ESA’s Hera mission is now en route to study the aftermath.
KEY DISCOVERIES
- Impact shortened Dimorphos orbital period by 33 minutes (target was >73 seconds)
- Impact efficiency was 3.6x higher than expected
- Created substantial debris trail visible from ground telescopes
TECHNOLOGY & FIRSTS
- First planetary defense test mission
- Successfully altered an asteroids orbit
- Autonomous targeting and navigation to impact
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (2)
DRACO (Navigation camera)
LICIACube (Italian cubesat companion)
SPACECRAFT SPECIFICATIONS
Launch Mass610 kg (1,345 lbs)
PowerSolar panels
PropulsionNEXT-C ion engine (technology demo), hydrazine RCS
Launch VehicleFalcon 9
Launch DateNovember 24, 2021
Arrival DateSeptember 26, 2022
Mission EndSeptember 26, 2022
ProgramPlanetary Defense
MISSION TRAJECTORY
1
Asteroid Didymos
2
Asteroid Dimorphos
OTHER ASTEROID DIMORPHOS MISSIONS