ISRO Successfully Launches Proba-3 Mission in Collaboration with ESA

In a historic achievement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), launched the Proba-3 spacecraft at 4:04 PM IST today. This mission highlights India’s growing significance in global space innovation and marks another step in ISRO’s impressive track record of international partnerships.

The Proba-3 mission, overseen by ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd., took off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. Although initially scheduled for December 4 at 4:08 PM IST, the launch was rescheduled due to a last-minute anomaly in the satellite’s propulsion system. Following swift troubleshooting and successful rectification, the mission proceeded flawlessly.

About Proba-3 Mission:
Proba-3, short for “Project for Onboard Autonomy,” also derives its name from the Latin term meaning “let’s try.” This innovative space mission is the first of its kind to demonstrate precision formation flying. Two satellites—the Coronagraph, weighing 310 kg, and the Occulter, weighing 240 kg—will operate as a single system, maintaining a precise distance of 150 meters from each other. This configuration enables unprecedented studies of the Sun’s corona, its outer atmosphere.

The corona, which is paradoxically hotter than the Sun’s surface, plays a critical role in shaping space weather, including phenomena such as solar flares and geomagnetic storms. By providing deeper insights into these processes, the mission aims to contribute to a better understanding of solar activity and its impact on Earth.

Mission Details:

• The mission involves instruments on both satellites working in tandem to study the Sun. These satellites will take approximately six hours to align and focus on the solar rim.
• Proba-3 will orbit the Earth every 19 hours, with the two satellites maintaining a meticulously calculated formation throughout.
• The spacecraft was launched aboard a 44.5-meter-tall rocket, which took 18 minutes to place Proba-3 in its intended orbit.

This mission underscores the success of ISRO’s commercial space program and its commitment to fostering international cooperation in space exploration. It also serves as a testament to India’s capabilities in developing cutting-edge technology and contributing to global scientific endeavors.

With Proba-3 now in orbit, the mission is set to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun, paving the way for future advancements in solar physics and space weather prediction.