The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) is all set to launch the ambitious two spacecraft mission to conduct formation flying in space and study the Sun.
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-XL (PSLV-XL) will launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission from Sriharikota, India, on December 4, 2024, at 4:08 PM IST.
The European team, currently in India, successfully encapsulated the spacecraft in the payload fairing to complete the integration of the PSLV. Following the integration, a dress rehearsal for the launch was conducted.
This mission marks a significant collaboration between Isro and ESA, aimed at studying the Sun’s corona, the outermost layer of the solar atmosphere, which is crucial for understanding solar dynamics and space weather phenomena.
Proba-3 is notable for being the world’s first precision formation flying mission, involving two satellites that will operate in tandem to create artificial solar eclipses.
These satellites will be separated by approximately 150 meters in a highly elliptical orbit, allowing them to block sunlight and observe the corona in unprecedented detail.
This setup enables continuous observations for up to six hours, significantly extending the duration of typical solar observations compared to natural eclipses.
The PSLV-XL configuration, known for its enhanced payload capacity due to additional strap-on boosters, will facilitate this complex mission. Weighing a total of 550 kg, the two satellites—the Occulter and the Coronagraph—are designed to work together to capture detailed images of the corona.
The Occulter will block out the Sun’s intense light while the Coronagraph will utilize this shadow to study solar phenomena that are otherwise difficult to observe.
This launch not only demonstrates Isro’s capabilities as a reliable launch partner but also underscores India’s growing role in global space exploration.
The Proba-3 mission follows a series of successful collaborations between Isro and ESA, further enhancing scientific understanding of solar dynamics and their impact on Earth
