The European Space Agency’s Hera space probe, launched on October 7, 2024, captured images of Mars’ moon, Deimos, during a flyby.

Hera, on a mission to study the Dimorphos asteroid and asteroid deflection techniques, got as close as 620 miles to Deimos.

The probe used three imaging instruments to capture data on the moon’s mineral composition and surface temperatures.

This flyby will aid future missions to explore Martian moons, including one in 2026 to land on Phobos and collect samples, CBS News has reported.

Hera is set to reach the Didymos asteroid in December 2026.

Written by B.C. Begley