The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission on December 4 from Sriharikota. This ambitious mission is designed to study the Sun's corona, the hottest and outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere.
The mission introduces an innovative approach known as precision formation flying, which uses two satellites working together to simulate an extended solar eclipse.
Proba-3 is a collaboration between several European countries, including Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Switzerland. With an estimated cost of 200 million euros, the mission is expected to last two years.
The two spacecraft involved are the Occulter Spacecraft, weighing 200 kilograms, and the Coronagraph Spacecraft, weighing 340 kilograms. These satellites will work in tandem, with one blocking the Sun's intense light and the other studying the corona in unprecedented detail. This design allows researchers to observe solar activity with greater clarity than ever before.
The mission marks a continuation of ESA’s focus on solar exploration, building on the success of earlier Proba missions launched in 2001 and 2009. Proba-3 will be placed into a highly elliptical orbit, ranging from 600 to 60,530 kilometers, with an orbital period of 19.7 hours.
The launch vehicle chosen for this mission is ISRO's reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in its PSLV-XL configuration, which has additional boosters for enhanced performance. The PSLV has a proven track record and remains a preferred choice for both domestic and international missions.
A primary objective of Proba-3 is to study the Sun's corona, a region that plays a critical role in space weather phenomena such as solar storms and solar winds. These events can disrupt satellite communications, navigation systems, and even power grids on Earth.
However, observing the corona is particularly challenging due to the Sun's overpowering brightness. Proba-3 addresses this limitation using advanced instruments like ASPIICS, DARA, and 3DEES.
The ASPIICS instrument will provide detailed images of the Sun’s corona, a view typically available only during rare natural solar eclipses. By simulating an artificial eclipse, the coronagraph will offer an extended window of observation, allowing researchers to study solar phenomena more comprehensively.
The DARA instrument will measure the Sun's total energy output, contributing valuable data to solar research. Meanwhile, the 3DEES instrument will study electron fluxes in Earth’s radiation belts, adding to the understanding of space weather.
What sets Proba-3 apart is its groundbreaking use of precision formation flying. The two satellites will maintain a highly specific alignment, separated by only a few millimeters.
This configuration enables one satellite to act as a shield, blocking the Sun's light while the other observes the corona. Unlike natural solar eclipses, which are brief and infrequent, Proba-3 will provide up to six continuous hours of observation, equivalent to the total duration of 50 natural eclipses each year.
This extended observation period is a significant advantage for scientists aiming to unlock the mysteries of solar activity.
The mission also highlights ISRO's growing role in global space exploration. By successfully launching Proba-3, ISRO continues to demonstrate its reliability and cost-effectiveness as a partner for international space agencies.
The collaboration between ISRO and ESA not only strengthens their partnership but also underscores India's capabilities in advanced space technologies.
For India, the mission offers numerous scientific and strategic benefits. Indian scientists, particularly those in the field of solar physics, are expected to gain valuable insights from the mission’s data.
Researchers have already collaborated with their European counterparts to define the mission's scientific goals, and there is strong potential for exclusive access to its findings.
Such data could significantly enhance India's understanding of solar phenomena and space weather, crucial for safeguarding infrastructure like satellites and power grids.
Follow us
