Aditya L1 and Proba-3 to Unite for Solar Research in 2025

India’s Aditya L1 and the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 missions are set to revolutionize solar research with joint observations starting in 2025. Aditya L1, operational since January 2024 from the Lagrange point (L1) 1.5 million km from Earth, launched in September 2023. Meanwhile, Proba-3, launched on December 5, 2024, is the first mission involving two satellites flying in formation to simulate a solar eclipse, facilitating detailed studies of the Sun’s corona.

Key Instruments: VELC and ASPIICS

Both missions rely on coronagraphs to block sunlight and observe the Sun’s outer regions. Aditya L1 is equipped with the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), while Proba-3 features the Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun (ASPIICS). ASPIICS provides an unprecedented view of the Sun’s corona, ranging from 1.08 to 3 solar radii, using a 1.4-meter occulting disk to mimic eclipse conditions.

Collaborative Solar Campaigns

Indian and ESA scientists convened in Chennai to plan synchronized observation campaigns. These efforts aim to maximize scientific output, benefiting both Indian and European researchers. Dipankar Banerjee, director of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, highlighted the collaborative advantages of shared observations during key observation windows.

Proba-3 Progress and Initial Operations

The Proba-3 mission, monitored from Belgium, is progressing through its commissioning phase, with initial calibrations underway. By March 2025, solar observations will begin, starting with the Digital Absolute Radiometer (DARA) to measure total solar irradiance. Early 2025 will see the Proba-3 satellites separate, initiating active formation flying and groundbreaking corona observations.

Summary of the news