Astronomer based in Belfast to take part in mission to deflect asteroids from Earth

Hera is set to blast into deep space on a Space X Falcon 9 rocket to gather new data and insights on how to deflect asteroids which may be heading our way. Picture: ESA/PA Wire

A Belfast-based astronomer is set to take part in a mission 20 years in the making to help ward off the threat of an asteroid crashing into Earth.

Professor Alan Fitzsimmons from Queen’s University Belfast is set to be at ground control for the European Space Agency’s first-ever planetary-defence mission, while the spacecraft Hera is set to blast off from the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral in Florida.