The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was all set to launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 spacecraft today (December 4, 2024). However, due to anomaly detection, the schedule was delayed at the last minute. As per the information provided by ISRO, now the spacecraft will liftoff tomorrow at 4:12 PM IST.
The mission has been said to be a major step in ISRO’s collaboration with international space agencies. The 25-hour countdown has already running since Tuesday (3rd December 2024) from 3:08 PM IST onwards, with all preparatory work underway at Sriharikota’s spaceport.
This mission will deploy ISRO’s trusted Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in its 61st flight and 26th use of the PSLV-XL variant. The lift-off was earlier scheduled for 4:08 PM IST today (December 4).
ISRO Chairman seeks divine blessings today for the safety of the aircraft and mission
ISRO Chairman Dr S. Somnath was reportedly offering prayers at the Sri Chengalamma Parameshwari Temple in Sullurpet today, ahead of the Proba-3 satellite launch. He offered a special puja, seeking blessings for the success of this unique mission, conducted in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO.
Speaking about the mission, Dr Somnath emphasized its significance, calling it a "very special and unique" endeavour.
New launch details and objectives
The Proba-3 satellite, carried by ISRO’s trusted PSLV-C59 rocket, is now lifting off tomorrow (December 5, 2024) at 4:08 PM from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The mission will place the Proba-3 satellite into a high-altitude orbit, reaching approximately 60,000 kilometres above Earth.
Scientists from ISRO and European countries are working together to ensure the satellite is accurately positioned in its designated orbit.
Proba-3: Pioneering solar observation
The Proba-3 mission, short for “Project for Onboard Autonomy,” features two satellites which are designed to fly in precise formation, maintaining a separation of just one millimetre.
This dual-satellite system consisting of the Coronagraph and Occulter spacecraft, will create 'solar eclipses on demand" to study the Sun’s corona—its outer atmosphere—like never before.
The mission further aims at mimicking the conditions of a solar eclipse, by enabling continuous observation of the Sun’s faint corona, which is much hotter than the Sun’s surface and crucial for understanding space weather.
Advanced payload and orbit details
The 44.5-metre PSLV rocket will place the 550 kg Proba-3 payload into a high Earth orbit, reaching a 60,530 km apogee and a 600 km perigee.
Once in orbit, the two satellites will align 150 metres apart, forming a single, rigid structure to facilitate precision observations of the Sun’s rim and surrounding atmosphere.
Formation flying technology- A leap forward
Proba-3 represents a milestone in the formation of flying technology. The ESA notes that this mission will enable the two spacecraft to operate as a large-scale solar coronagraph, achieving unprecedented proximity to the Sun's corona. The mission builds on Europe’s earlier multi-satellite successes, including Sweden’s Prisma mission and the Automated Transfer Vehicle program.
ISRO’s role in solar science
This mission adds to ISRO’s growing expertise in solar studies, following the success of the Aditya-L1 mission in 2023. ISRO will manage the launch, while ESA scientists will conduct in-depth studies post-orbit.
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