CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A spacecraft blasted off Monday to investigate the scene of a cosmic crash.

The European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft rocketed away on a two-year journey to the small, harmless asteroid rammed by NASA two years ago in a dress rehearsal for the day a killer space rock threatens Earth. Launched by SpaceX from Cape Canaveral, it’s the second part of a planetary defence test that could one day help save the planet.

Two years ago, NASA rammed a spacecraft into an asteroid to change its course. A European mission is going to look at the pieces.{ai:summary}<p>The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral to study an asteroid impacted by a NASA mission two years prior. This two-year journey is part of a planetary defense test aimed at preparing for potential future threats from space. </p><p>#science</p>

A spacecraft is on its way to an asteroid 'crash scene investigation'

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