# Juventas > CubeSat flown on ESA's Hera mission to the binary asteroid Didymos **Wikidata**: [Q130473774](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130473774) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/juventas ## Summary Juventas is a CubeSat flown on ESA's Hera mission to the binary asteroid Didymos. It is an unmanned robotic spacecraft that explores outer space beyond Earth orbit. Named after the asteroid Hebe, it launched on October 7, 2024, as part of the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment. ## Key Facts - Instance of: space probe (unmanned robotic spacecraft exploring outer space), CubeSat (miniaturized satellite made up of 10cm-sided cubic modules) - Mass: 12 kilograms (launch weight criterion) - Dimensions: width 23 centimetres, height 10 centimetres, length 37 centimetres - Launch date: October 7, 2024, at 14:52 - Launch site: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 - Launch vehicle: Falcon 9 Block 5 (booster B1061, mission B1061.23) - Launch contractor: SpaceX - Country: Italy - Part of: Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment - Sponsor: European Space Agency - Operator: European Space Agency - Developer: GomSpace - Manufacturer: GomSpace - Named after: Hebe - Website: https://www.heramission.space/hera-mission-juventas-cubesat (published by Côte d'Azur Observatory, in English) - Significant event: rocket launch on October 7, 2024, at Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40, involving Hera and Milani ## FAQs **What is Juventas and what mission does it support?** Juventas serves as a CubeSat deployed from ESA's Hera mission targeting the binary asteroid Didymos. It functions as an unmanned space probe exploring deep space as part of the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment. **When and how was Juventas launched?** The CubeSat launched on October 7, 2024, at 14:52 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. SpaceX handled the launch as contractor, with booster B1061 on its 23rd flight. **Who developed and operates Juventas?** GomSpace developed and manufactured the CubeSat. The European Space Agency acts as both sponsor and operator, with Italy as the associated country. **What are the physical specifications of Juventas?** It measures 23 cm wide, 10 cm high, and 37 cm long, with a launch mass of 12 kilograms. These specs align with its miniaturized CubeSat design using 10cm-sided cubic modules. **What is the origin of Juventas's name and where can I learn more?** Named after the asteroid Hebe, detailed information appears on its official site at https://www.heramission.space/hera-mission-juventas-cubesat, produced by Côte d'Azur Observatory in English. ## Why It Matters Juventas advances planetary defense by participating in the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment through ESA's Hera mission to Didymos, testing technologies for asteroid deflection post-DART impact. As a compact CubeSat, it demonstrates feasible deep-space exploration with miniaturized systems, reducing costs while enabling radar journeys into asteroids. Its deployment highlights international collaboration, with Italy's contribution, ESA oversight, and SpaceX launch prowess, influencing future missions against near-Earth threats. ## Notable For - Deployment on Hera mission to Didymos, marking a key step in post-impact asteroid study. - Italian-origin CubeSat sponsored and operated by ESA, bridging European and private efforts. - Launch via SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 booster B1061.23 from Cape Canaveral on October 7, 2024. - Naming after asteroid Hebe, tying into classical asteroid nomenclature. - GomSpace manufacture of a 12 kg, 23x10x37 cm probe for outer space exploration. ## Body ### Mission and Classification Juventas operates as a space probe, defined as an unmanned robotic spacecraft that explores outer space rather than orbiting Earth. It qualifies as a CubeSat, a miniaturized satellite composed of 10cm-sided cubic modules. The craft flies on ESA's Hera mission directed at the binary asteroid Didymos, integrating into the broader Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment. ### Physical Specifications - Mass stands at 12 kilograms, measured as launch weight. - Width measures 23 centimetres. - Height reaches 10 centimetres. - Length extends to 37 centimetres. These dimensions support its compact design for deep-space deployment. ### Development and Production GomSpace serves as both developer and manufacturer of Juventas. The project originates from Italy, with the European Space Agency providing sponsorship and operational control. ### Naming and Resources The CubeSat draws its name from Hebe, an asteroid. Its dedicated website, https://www.heramission.space/hera-mission-juventas-cubesat, offers details; Côte d'Azur Observatory published it in English. ### Launch Details Launch occurred on October 7, 2024, at 14:52 from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. SpaceX acted as launch contractor, using a Falcon 9 Block 5 vehicle with booster designation B1061 on mission B1061.23. This event constitutes the significant rocket launch, linked to Hera and Milani. ### Related Entities and Connections Juventas connects to the space probe class with 75 sitelinks, CubeSat class with 35 sitelinks, and Falcon 9 Block 5 class with 20 sitelinks. It forms part of the Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment initiative. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Hera/Radar_journey_to_centre_of_Hera_s_asteroid_with_Juventas_CubeSat) 2. [Source](https://www.heramission.space/hera-mission-juventas-cubesat) 3. Jonathan's Space Report 4. [Source](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/10/hera-launch/) 5. [Source](https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Planetary_defence_mission_Hera_heading_for_deflected_asteroid)