SRO's PSLV-XL successfully launches Europe's Proba-3 mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the European Space Agency's (ESA) Proba-3 mission at 4:04 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission aims to enhance our understanding of the Sun's corona, the outer layer of its atmosphere, marking a significant collaboration between ISRO and ESA.

Launch Highlights

Lift-Off Time: 4:04 PM IST

Mission Objective: Enhance understanding of the Sun's corona

Mission Configuration: Twin satellites operating in precise formation

Initially planned for Wednesday, the launch was rescheduled due to a technical glitch in the Proba-3 spacecraft. The anomaly involved a redundant propulsion system in the Coronagraph Spacecraft, crucial for maintaining the satellite's orientation. ESA teams in Redu, Belgium, addressed the issue, paving the way for the successful Thursday launch.

Proba-3 Mission Details

Proba-3 consists of two satellites: the Coronagraph and the Occulter. These satellites will operate in precise formation, maintaining a 150-meter distance apart. This unique setup allows the Occulter to block the Sun's bright disk, enabling the Coronagraph to observe the faint corona in unprecedented detail. This artificial eclipse will provide scientists with up to six hours of continuous observation time, equivalent to approximately 50 natural solar eclipses each year.

The mission is expected to significantly contribute to space weather prediction by providing vital data about solar phenomena that can affect satellite operations and communications on Earth.

Complementary Mission

The Proba-3 mission complements India's ongoing Aditya L1 mission, launched in September 2023, which also focuses on solar observations.

A Milestone for ISRO

The PSLV-XL configuration, equipped with six strap-on solid rocket boosters carrying 12 tonnes of propellant each, delivered the spacecraft into a precise elliptical orbit. This orbit, reaching over 60,000 km from Earth at its farthest point, ensures six hours of formation flying for the two probes.

The Proba-3 mission represents a technological demonstration and a significant step forward in international cooperation in space science. This collaboration marks ESA's return to launching missions with ISRO after over two decades, highlighting India's growing role in global space exploration.

The successful deployment of Proba-3 by ISRO's PSLV-XL rocket is a testament to India's growing capabilities in space exploration and international collaboration. This mission will provide invaluable data to enhance our understanding of the Sun's corona and improve space weather predictions, benefiting satellite operations and communications on Earth.