
ISRO Successfully Puts PROBA-3 Into Orbit: A 10-Point Guide to the European Satellite
New Delhi, India – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the European Space Agency's (ESA) PROBA-3 satellite aboard the PSLV-C59 rocket, marking another milestone for India in space exploration. This mission, which was ISRO’s 61st commercial mission, carries significant scientific and technological goals. Here's everything you need to know about the PROBA-3 mission:
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What is PROBA-3? PROBA stands for Project for Onboard Anatomy, a space program under the ESA. The PROBA series is designed to carry out cutting-edge scientific experiments. The PROBA-3 mission is the third satellite in the series, focusing on solar research.
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Mission Objective PROBA-3 is a solar observation mission aimed at studying the Sun's corona—the outermost part of its atmosphere. The satellite aims to achieve unprecedented precision in mapping and imaging the solar corona.
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Two-Spacecraft Configuration The mission involves two independent, three-axis stabilized spacecraft:
- Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC): Weighs 310 kg and is responsible for observing the Sun’s corona.
- Occulter Spacecraft (OSC): Weighs 240 kg and will block sunlight to allow the CSC to capture clear images of the corona.
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Formation Flying One of the standout features of PROBA-3 is its formation flying capability. The two spacecraft will fly in close proximity, maintaining a distance of about 150 meters with extreme precision—up to a few millimeters and arc seconds. This technique allows them to function as a virtual giant satellite.
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Solar Observation at Unprecedented Precision The primary goal of PROBA-3 is to observe the Sun’s corona at a 1.1 solar radius—around 695,700 km from the Sun's center. This makes PROBA-3 the most precise satellite ever designed for mapping and imaging the Sun’s corona in visible light, ultraviolet, and infrared radiation.
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Autonomous Flight The two spacecraft will fly autonomously without needing guidance from the ground. They will operate in a 19-hour, 36-minute orbit, spending up to six hours maintaining their formation to conduct observations.
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Safety Tests and Maneuvers Once the satellites are in orbit, they will undergo a short preparatory phase to perform safety tests, including a collision maneuver test. This will ensure the spacecraft remain in a safe relative orbit without colliding or drifting apart.
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Technological Validation PROBA-3 will act as a "Laboratory in space", validating technologies such as relative GPS navigation, guidance, and control algorithms that are essential for future missions, including Mars Sample Return and satellite de-orbiting operations.
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Cutting-Edge Rendezvous Experiment The mission includes a rendezvous experiment that will test sensors and algorithms for cooperative and uncooperative satellite rendezvous. This technology could eventually be used to manage satellites in space, including clearing space debris.
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Scientific Impact The PROBA-3 mission will provide valuable data on the Sun’s corona, contributing to our understanding of solar activities and space weather, which can impact Earth’s communication systems, satellites, and even power grids.
With the successful deployment of the PROBA-3 satellite, ISRO and ESA have once again demonstrated their collaboration in advancing space technology. The mission promises to push the boundaries of formation flying and solar observation, laying the foundation for more ambitious space endeavors in the future.
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