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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch Europe’s Proba-3 mission on December 4, 2024, aimed at enhancing solar research and expanding our understanding of space weather. The launch will take place at ISRO’s Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh, with the mission’s primary objective to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona, and its impact on space weather.
The Proba-3 mission is a collaborative effort between ISRO’s commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and the European Space Agency (ESA). The mission will lift off from the spaceport’s first launch pad at 4:08 PM IST using the trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), marking the 61st PSLV mission and the 26th of the PSLV-XL variant. The PSLV is expected to carry the Proba-3 spacecraft, which weigh a combined 550 kg, into high Earth orbit approximately 18 minutes after launch.
Mission Objectives and Satellite Details
The Proba-3 mission features two key spacecraft—the Coronagraph and the Occulter—designed to work in tandem to investigate the Sun’s corona. The Occulter, weighing 240 kg, will fly ahead of the Coronagraph (310 kg), with only 150 meters separating them. By blocking the Sun’s disc, the Occulter will allow the Coronagraph to closely observe the Sun’s corona, providing unprecedented data about its composition and behavior.
These spacecraft will be positioned to create an artificial solar eclipse, a phenomenon that will enable scientists to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere in great detail. This mission aims to induce “solar eclipses on demand,” a first in the history of solar research, and represents a major technological advancement in precision formation flying. The mission’s precise flying technology is expected to set the stage for future space exploration missions that will require similar accuracy.
Key Features and Benefits
- Orbit Details: The Proba-3 satellites will have an orbital period of 19.7 hours, with an apogee of 60,530 km and a perigee of 600 km from Earth.
- Solar Research: By blocking the Sun’s disc, the satellites will provide crucial data about the Sun’s corona, which is far hotter than its surface. This information is critical for understanding solar phenomena that influence space weather.
- Space Weather Impact: The Sun’s activity affects satellite communications, GPS systems, and Earth’s power grids. Proba-3 will enhance our understanding of space weather events caused by the Sun’s corona.
- Technological Leap: Proba-3’s success in demonstrating precision formation flying will have wide-ranging applications for future space missions, particularly those requiring high-precision observation.
Legacy and Future Prospects
The Proba-3 mission builds on the success of ESA’s previous Proba missions, with Proba-1 and Proba-2 launched in 2001 and 2009, respectively, for Earth observation. Proba-3 represents a significant leap forward, not only in solar research but also in space exploration technology. The mission’s ability to carry out precise formation flying will provide the scientific community with valuable insights into solar and space weather phenomena, laying the groundwork for future space missions.
The collaboration between ISRO and ESA exemplifies the growing importance of international partnerships in advancing space exploration and scientific discovery. The data generated by the Proba-3 mission will be instrumental in understanding the Sun’s activity, its impact on space weather, and ultimately, the broader space environment that affects both Earth and space missions.
Launch Details
- Launch Date: December 4, 2024
- Time: 4:08 PM IST
- Launch Vehicle: PSLV-XL
- Spaceport: Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
As the PSLV rocket lifts off from Sriharikota, all eyes will be on the Proba-3 mission, which promises to unlock new frontiers in solar and space weather research.
Sources By Agencies
