The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), is set to launch the Proba-3 mission today at 4:04 PM IST. This groundbreaking mission aims to explore the Sun’s corona, the Sun’s outer atmosphere, with unprecedented precision. The launch will take place from ISRO’s Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh, using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL).
Key Highlights of the Mission
– First-of-its-kind Formation Flying: Proba-3 involves two satellites, the Occulter (240 kg) and the Coronagraph (310 kg), flying in a precise formation 150 meters apart. Together, they will create an artificial solar eclipse in space, allowing detailed observation of the corona, crucial for understanding solar dynamics and space weather.
– Extended Solar Observations: The satellites will enable continuous observation of the corona for up to six hours, overcoming the limitations of natural solar eclipses. They will orbit Earth in a highly elliptical trajectory, achieving a maximum altitude of 60,500 km.
– Advanced Payload and Objectives: The 550-kg mission will use the Occulter to block the Sun’s intense light, enabling the Coronagraph to capture detailed images of solar phenomena like coronal mass ejections. These observations are critical for predicting space weather events that can impact Earth’s technology.
Technical Details and Challenges
– The mission represents a significant technological achievement, as it is the world’s first demonstration of precision formation flying, accurate to within one millimeter. The PSLV-XL rocket, enhanced with additional boosters, will take approximately 18 minutes to place the satellites into their designated orbit.
– Originally scheduled for December 4, the launch was delayed due to an anomaly detected in the satellite propulsion system, which has since been resolved.
This mission not only highlights ISRO’s capabilities as a reliable space partner but also reinforces India’s growing influence in global space research and innovation. Proba-3 continues the tradition of successful collaborations between ISRO and ESA, expanding our understanding of solar and space dynamics.
, in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), is set to launch the Proba-3 mission today at 4:04 PM IST. This groundbreaking mission aims to explore the Sun's corona, the Sun's outer atmosphere, with unprecedented precision.){kind=link}