GRASS (GRAvimeter for Small Solar system bodies) instrument

The GRASS gravimeter is the first instrument to directly measure gravity on the surface of an asteroid. It will be landed on the surface of the Dimorphos asteroid aboard the Juventas CubeSat – which will itself be deployed from ESA’s Hera mission for planetary defence.

About

The GRASS Gravimeter is a revolutionary instrument designed to measure gravity on the surface of an asteroid. Our mission is to provide accurate and reliable measurements of asteroid gravity, which can be used to better understand the formation and evolution of our solar system. We are committed to advancing the field of planetary science through innovative research and technology.

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News & Events

Launch is successful, separation is complete: Hera is on her way to Didymos

GRASS Team counting down for ESA Hera Launch, 7 October 2024 at 16:52 Belgian time

The King of Belgium visited the Space Pole on January 31st and discovered our involvement in space research. Birgit Ritter and Elisa Tasev presented the GRASS instrument on board the ESA Hera mission.

Latest Publications

Successful test campaign for the GRASS gravimeter instrument

The GRASS (GRAvimeter for Small Solar system bodies) instrument developed within the ESA Hera mission has recently undergone a successful environmental test campaign.

The tests, which were performed in ESA’s Mechanical Systems Laboratory, showed that GRASS is capable to withstand the harsh thermal and air-free environment of space as well as the intense vibrations of the launch.