NASA successfully launched the Double AsteroidRedirection Test (DART) mission, which is intended to test planetary defense ofnear-Earth objects. The DART spacecraft will make impact with a small asteroidnamed Dimorphos with the intent of changing its orbit around Didymos, itscompanion rock. While Dimorphos poses no threat to Earth, this impact test willhelp determine if crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid is an effective way tochange its course. If successful, this method could be used to deflect anEarth-threatening asteroid in the future.

The DART spacecraftincludes an Italian Space Agency six-unit CubeSat called LICIACube. LICIACubeis equipped with two cameras and will separate from DART ten days prior toimpact. It is planned to take pictures every six seconds during DART’s impactphase as well as record images of the asteroid after impact, which may helpillustrate the consequences of the collision. LICIACube is the first deep spacemission developed and managed by an Italian team. The collision between theDART spacecraft and Dimorphos is expected to happen in early Autumn 2022.

VPT is proud to have parts on board thismission and congratulates everyone involved with its current and futuresuccess.