Proba-3: ISRO to Launch ESA’s Precision Formation Flying Solar Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission on December 4, 2024, using its PSLV-XL rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This pioneering mission will study the Sun’s corona, the outermost and hottest layer of the Sun’s atmosphere, through an artificial solar eclipse created by two satellites flying in precise formation. Proba-3 represents a significant technological breakthrough and an example of international collaboration in space exploration.

Mission Objectives and Features

Precision Formation Flying

Proba-3 is the world’s first mission to demonstrate precision formation flying. It will deploy two satellites — the 200 kg Occulter Spacecraft and the 340 kg Coronagraph Spacecraft — that will operate in a highly elliptical orbit (600 x 60,530 km). These satellites will maintain a precise alignment of up to a few millimeters, mimicking a solar eclipse by casting a shadow on the coronagraph.

Scientific Goals

By creating an artificial eclipse, the mission will enable continuous observation of the solar corona for up to six hours. This will allow scientists to study solar phenomena, including flares and coronal mass ejections, which are crucial for understanding space weather and its effects on satellite operations and power grids on Earth.

Onboard Instruments

ASPIICS (Coronagraph): Provides a detailed view of the Sun’s inner and outer corona.

DARA (Digital Absolute Radiometer): Measures the Sun’s total energy output.

3DEES (3D Energetic Electron Spectrometer): Studies electron fluxes for space weather research.

India’s Role and Benefits

Key Contributions

ISRO’s cost-effective and reliable PSLV-XL rocket underscores India’s growing prominence in global space missions. The launch continues ISRO’s collaboration with ESA, following earlier successes with Proba-1 (2001) and Proba-2 (2009).

Data Access

Indian scientists are expected to gain exclusive access to Proba-3 data, which complements insights from India’s Aditya L1 solar mission (launched in 2023). A planned collaboration between ESA and Indian researchers could drive advancements in solar physics and space weather studies.

Future Implications

Proba-3’s innovative approach to solar observation could revolutionize space exploration by proving the feasibility of complex multi-satellite tasks. Its success may inspire future missions that leverage precision formation flying for various scientific and technological goals. Moreover, the mission reinforces the importance of international cooperation, pooling expertise from ESA member states like France, Belgium, and the Netherlands alongside ISRO.

Summery of the news

Why in News Key Points
Proba-3 Mission Launch by ISRO ISRO to launch ESA’s Proba-3 mission on December 4, 2024, from Sriharikota.
Mission Objective To study the Sun’s corona using precision formation flying between two satellites.
Distance Between Satellites The two satellites will maintain a distance of 150 meters during operation.
Launch Vehicle Proba-3 will be launched using ISRO’s PSLV-XL rocket.
Satellites in Mission Occulter Spacecraft (200 kg) and Coronagraph Spacecraft (340 kg) will form the solar coronagraph.
Orbital Details Proba-3 will be placed in an elliptical orbit (600 x 60,530 km) with an orbital period of 19.7 hours.
Instruments Onboard 1. ASPIICS (Coronagraph) for solar corona observations, 2. DARA for solar irradiance, 3. 3DEES for electron flux study.
Expected Mission Life Estimated to last for two years.
Key Collaborators Collaboration between ESA and ISRO. Teams from Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Switzerland contributed.
Previous ESA Missions Proba-1 (2001) and Proba-2 (2009) were previous solar missions by ESA.
Benefits to India Indian solar physicists may get exclusive access to mission data. India plans collaboration with ESA for research.
Significance of Study Proba-3 will enhance understanding of space weather and solar phenomena like solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
Targeted Observation Time Proba-3 will provide six hours of continuous solar corona observation, equivalent to 50 solar eclipses annually.
Piyush Shukla

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