HERA MISSION
MOVING FORWARD

With great excitement, we are pleased to share that the Hera Mission was funded last week!

Last month, Europe’s space ministers gathered at Space19+ in Seville, Spain and approved ESA’s Hera asteroid mission for construction and launch, as part of the Agency’s broader planetary defence initiatives that aim to protect European and world citizens. Following NASA's planned 2020 DART mission, which will intentionally crash an impactor spacecraft into the asteroid Didymos’ small Moon, Hera will visit the asteroid in 2026 providing measurements of the impact's effect on the moon's orbit, thus hopefully validating a technique to deflect an asteroid.

Asteroid Day LIVE participants including Dr. Patrick Michael, Ian Carnelli (Hera Manager, Photo Credit: Max Alexander) and Jan Woerner were instrumental in securing this achievement as well as major endorsements from the Asteroid Day Expert Panel members,

who regularly talked to the media about the importance of this mission and planetary defence. Additionally, the funding decision comes, in part, thanks to the successful social media campaign #SupportHera, which Asteroid Day and the Asteroid Foundation has actively supported, along with a host of other partners.

Jan Woerner (seated at the center) at Space 19+ in Seville, Spain.
Photo Credit: Max Alexander

Asteroid Day was founded to help build public awareness about asteroids risks and opportunities five and a half years ago. Since the first Asteroid Day event in 2015, our programming and educational tools were built explicitly to pressure politicians to support planetary defence activities as well as educate the public about asteroids in general. Last week with the support of millions of people around the world– that collective hard work has paid off. Our co-founders, Dr. Brian May, astrophysicist and lead guitarist of QUEEN, together with Danica Remy, President of B612 Foundation, Rusty Schweickart, Apollo 9 Astronaut, and filmmaker Grig Richters have advocated for funding for planetary defence and a better understanding of the role of asteroids in the formation of our solar system.

Thanks to each and every one of you who have supported our work, educated people in your communities, and have actively promoted the Hera Mission.

AD HIGHLIGHTED EVENT

PUERTO RICO

Puerto Rico celebrated Asteroid Day 2019 at the Arecibo Observatory. With over 300 attendees, the presentation included up to date research on asteroids obtained by using the most powerful radio radar in the world.

As part of the celebration, they explained the importance of asteroids through hands-on activities and by displaying 3D models. Participants could also view asteroids from the Science and Visitor Center collection.

Congratulations Asteroid Day Puerto Rico event coordinator Sujeily Santiago on the successful event! If you have hosted an Asteroid Day event, please share it with us by visiting asteroidday.org and filling out this form.

AD HIGHLIGHTED COMMUNITY MEMBER

COLLEEN FIASCHETTI

Colleen Fiaschetti joins Asteroid Day as the new Program Director. Colleen has had a wide range of experience working for both start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. She received her Bachelors in Fine Arts at Seattle University and then furthered her education at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco.

Colleen worked in the apparel and technology industries before making the switch to the nonprofit sector. In the past two years, Colleen has helped define Asteroid Day programming and events in Luxembourg, while also training, educating and leading the seasonal team of volunteers and staff. She brings to Asteroid Day her incredibly capable operational, communications, brand management, team and program management skills. She will lead both the global and Luxembourg based programs. The Asteroid Foundation Board of Directors are excited that she has committed to moving to Luxembourg and leading Asteroid Day into the future.

ASTEROID DAY HIGHLIGHTED SPONSOR

TOMORROW STREET

Launched in September 2017, Tomorrow Street is a joint venture between the Vodafone Procurement Company (VPC) and Technoport (Luxembourg’s national incubator) that aims to turn business-ready startups into global success stories through Vodafone’s expansive network.

Through this partnership, Tomorrow Street will deliver innovative products and services to Vodafone’s consumer and enterprise customers while contributing to Luxembourg’s digital evolution.

Pictured is Astronaut Ed Lu, with Tomorrow Street CEO Kenneth Graham, taken during an 2019 Astro + Experts program presentation in Luxembourg.

Tomorrow Street has not only been a longstanding global sponsor of Asteroid Day, but also houses Asteroid Day HQ in Luxembourg. To learn more about Tomorrow Street, visit their website at www.tomorrowstreet.co.

HOST AN ASTEROID DAY EVENT TODAY!

Calling all Asteroid Day Independent Event Organizers! We have a toolkit to help with your event planning and promotion. Download it here at asteroidday.org.

Also, be sure to head to our event organizer page to find exciting tools, tips, and ideas for your Asteroid Day event.

Asteroid Day is made possible by our major sponsors and support from individuals. To support asteroid education around the globe please consider making a gift today.

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