From the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission on December 5, 2024, at 4:04 PM IST. This project highlights international cooperation in space exploration and represents a substantial partnership between ISRO and ESA.
The goal of the Proba-3 mission is to investigate the Sun’s outermost layer, known as the corona, which can have temperatures of up to two million degrees Fahrenheit. Predicting space weather events that can impact satellite operations and Earth’s power infrastructures requires an understanding of the corona.
There are two satellites involved in the mission:
It will watch the corona and weigh 340 kg.
It will obstruct the Sun’s brilliant disk to make it easier to observe the Corona. It weighs 200 kg.
One noteworthy feature of Proba-3 is its use of precision formation flying technology, which keeps the two satellites 150 meters apart. With this arrangement, the OSC can produce a synthetic solar eclipse, giving the CSC a previously unheard-of level of detail on the weak corona. Scientists can observe for up to six hours straight with this equipment, which is the same as seeing roughly 50 natural solar eclipses a year.
In addition to improving our knowledge of solar phenomena, this flight shows that ISRO is a dependable launch provider for global missions. India’s position in international solar study and exploration is further cemented with the Proba-3 mission, which supports the country’s own solar observation program, Aditya-L1, which was launched in September 2023.
Proba-3’s successful launch is a significant development in space technology and evidence of ISRO and ESA’s expanding cooperation, underscoring the value of global alliances in expanding scientific understanding and technological prowess in space exploration.
