NEW DELHI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission, marking a significant milestone in international space collaboration. The launch took place on December 5, 2024, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, using ISRO’s reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C59).
Mission Details
The Proba-3 mission, a part of ESA’s Project for Onboard Autonomy, consists of two satellites: the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC). These satellites will fly in precise formation, maintaining a fixed distance of 150 meters apart, to study the Sun’s corona. This innovative setup will create an artificial solar eclipse, allowing continuous observation of the Sun’s faint outer atmosphere, which is crucial for understanding solar activity and space weather.
Launch Highlights
The PSLV-C59 rocket lifted off at 4:04 PM IST, following a one-day delay due to a detected anomaly in the satellite’s propulsion system. The launch was described as a “textbook” by ISRO officials, with the rocket successfully placing the satellites into a highly elliptical orbit. The mission’s success underscores ISRO’s capability to deploy complex payloads and its growing reputation as a reliable and cost-effective space launch provider.
Scientific Objectives
The primary objective of the Proba-3 mission is to study the Sun’s corona with unprecedented precision. The CSC will carry the ASPIICS (Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of Corona of the Sun) instrument, designed to capture detailed images of the corona. The OSC will block the Sun’s bright disk, enabling the CSC to observe the corona continuously for up to six hours per orbit2.
International Collaboration
This mission highlights the strong collaboration between ISRO and ESA. The Proba-3 mission is a testament to the synergy between the two space agencies, combining ESA’s advanced scientific instruments with ISRO’s proven launch capabilities. The mission also involves NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, which secured the contract for this launch.
Future Prospects
The successful launch of Proba-3 paves the way for future collaborative missions between ISRO and ESA. The data collected from this mission will provide valuable insights into solar phenomena and contribute to the broader understanding of space weather, which can impact satellite systems and communications on Earth.