Name the Dinosaur Contest for Hera Mission

The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a contest to name the cartoon dinosaur mascot for its Hera asteroid mission, designed for planetary defense. This charming dino symbolizes the extinction of dinosaurs due to asteroid impacts, reinforcing the message that while they lacked a space agency, we now have one to safeguard our planet.

Contest Details

• Date: Contest held until October 23, 2026.
• Prize: The winner will be invited to the unveiling of the first images from Hera after it reaches the Dimorphos and Didymos asteroids on November 25, 2026, in Berlin.

About Hera Mission

Hera is ESA’s first planetary defense mission, targeting Dimorphos, a historic asteroid previously impacted by NASA’s DART mission. Hera will conduct a close-up survey to advance our understanding of planetary defense techniques.

Why Dinosaurs?

Dinosaurs have long captivated the public imagination. Their extinction is popularly linked to an asteroid impact, marking a significant moment in Earth’s history. As Larry Niven humorously noted, “The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn’t have a space programme.”

How to Enter

Interested participants can fill in their name, email, suggested name, and a support explanation through the official form, or email the details to hera.challenge@esa.int.

Join in the fun and help name Hera’s lovable dinosaur!