Proba-3 Launch Successful: ISRO Launches European Space Agency’s Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission at 4:04 pm from ISRO’s Spaceport. Originally scheduled for December 4 at 4:08 PM, the launch was postponed due to an anomaly in the Proba-3 satellites. ISRO's chief congratulated the team on the successful completion of it.

Proba-3: A Unique Collaboration with ESA

The Proba-3 mission, conducted under ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), is a collaboration with the ESA. This marks the 61st flight of ISRO’s reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), specifically the PSLV-XL variant, known for its heavy-lift capabilities.
The mission will deploy two spacecraft, the Coronagraph and the Occulter, designed to fly in a precise formation to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona. This advanced technology aims to set the stage for future space exploration.

Proba-3: A Technological Breakthrough

Proba-3, or “Project for Onboard Autonomy,” is the first mission of its kind to demonstrate high-precision formation flying. The two spacecraft will work together as a single unit, maintaining millimeter-level accuracy to create a solar coronagraph. This will allow scientists to observe the Sun’s corona, replicating the effect of a solar eclipse but with extended observation periods.
The mission’s innovative approach will provide unprecedented insights into the Sun’s corona, crucial for understanding solar activity, space weather, and their impacts on Earth.

Proba-3: Mission Goals and Significance

The primary goal of Proba-3 is to enable “solar eclipses on demand” for extended study of the solar corona. By blocking the Sun’s bright disk, the Occulter spacecraft allows the Coronagraph to focus on the corona, offering insights into space weather and solar phenomena.
The corona, much hotter than the Sun’s surface, is where space weather originates. Proba-3 will provide vital data for predicting solar activity and understanding its effects on Earth’s technology and climate.

Proba-3: ISRO’s Role and Expertise

While ESA leads the scientific aspects, ISRO’s contribution is critical to the mission’s success. The PSLV-XL rocket, known for its reliability, will deploy the satellites into their designated orbits.
This launch follows ISRO’s successful Aditya-L1 solar observation mission in September 2023, further enhancing its expertise in solar science and cementing its position in global space exploration.