ESA's Proba-3 Launch: What you need to know about this precision formation-flying mission, and what it means for India
The Proba-3 mission, set to be launched on December 4, is an exciting new chapter in solar research. This pioneering mission, led by the European Space Agency, will create solar eclipses in space using precision formation flying. Launched by ISRO of India using the PSLV-XL rocket, the mission seeks to improve our understanding of the Sun's corona, a critical area of solar science.
Proba-3 is made up of two spacecraft: the Occulter and the Coronagraph. These two spacecraft will separate after launch and fly in precise formation, only 150 meters apart. The Occulter will block the Sun's light, mimicking a solar eclipse and allowing the Coronagraph to observe the Sun's faint and elusive outer atmosphere, the corona. This innovative technique will enable scientists to observe the Sun like never before, with continuous views lasting six hours during each orbit.
Unlike natural solar eclipses, which last only a short time and appear rarely, Proba-3 will deliver regular, controlled solar eclipses. With this technology, scientists will be able to view the corona in more detail than all previous instruments have done - on Earth or in space. It will allow the scientists to view the solar corona for as long as six hours within each of its 19-hour orbit, which could offer unprecedented information about the behavior of the Sun, and have implications for forecasting space weather and the safety of satellites.
The precision formation flying aspect of Proba-3 is a technological wonder. The two spacecraft will fly with an accuracy of just one millimeter, ensuring they stay in perfect alignment to block out the Sun's intense light. This novel approach to space exploration demonstrates ESA's growing capabilities in conducting high-precision missions. Additionally, the mission will serve as a testbed for future space operations where multiple instruments can be shared across several spacecraft.
This mission is a matter of great importance for India as it happens to be the first time ESA is flying with ISRO's launcher since the Proba-1 in 2001. PSLV-XL, selected because of its proven performance and economic viability, will take Proba-3 to a very high elliptical orbit, which will facilitate the spacecraft to conduct its accurate formation flying by preserving it well from the effects of Earth's gravity.
In conclusion, Proba-3 is not only a solar observation mission but also a demonstration of space technology, as it pushes the boundaries of what is possible in space exploration. The partnership between ESA and ISRO is an extremely powerful one, which highlights the advancement of space technology and international cooperation in scientific endeavors.
