By R Anil Kumar
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ESA’s Proba-3 Mission set for November 2024, launch
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Proba-3 led by the European Space Agency, is a groundbreaking Mission involving multiple European Countries and ISRO
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Proba-3 will create artificial Solar Eclipse
Bengaluru, October 18. Proba-3 Mission led by the European Space Agency (ESA), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other European nations, is all set to be launched in November 2024.
The final testing of both the satellites, Occulter and Coronagraph of the Mission has been completed and will be shipped to India on October 21, and this groundbreaking Mission will be launched by ISRO’s PSLV-XL rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on November 29, 2024.
PROBA-3 MISSION:
The Mission will mark the beginning of a new age in Space Exploration where multiple Satellites have to coordinate through “Precision Formation Flying” working together as a single massive structure, the two-satellites will form a 144-meter long Solar Coronagraphy and maintain a predefined alignment and distance in Space.
This Coronagraph will study the Solar Corona near the rim of the Sun by blocking the bright rays emanating from the surface of the Sun, thus creating an artificial Solar eclipse.
The Mission will test new technologies for flying satellites in close formation and conduct experiments that involve Spacecraft rendezvous.
SCIENTIFIC GOALS:
The main goal of the mission is to create artificial eclipse, which will help scientists study the Sun’s Corona-the outer part of the Sun’s atmosphere, usually hidden by its bright light.
This will allow researchers to observe Solar events like Solar flares and Coronal mass ejections, which can affect Space weather and have an impact on earth.
TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS:
PROBA-3 will demonstrate highly accurate formation Flying. The Mission will prove new technologies that help keep the satellites close together and will aim for The Technology Readiness Level-9 (TRL-9), which shows the highest level of development. Key innovations include advanced metrology (precision measurement) Control sysyems and satellite manoeuvring.
DIFFERENCE OF THIS MISSION FROM TRADITIONAL ONES:
Unlike older missions that use big complex Space crafts, Proba-3 uses smaller more agile satellites. This approach reduces cost and makes the Mission more flexible allowing for a wider range of Scientific discoveries.
PREPARATIONS FOR LAUNCH:
As the launch of this groundbreaking Mission approaches, detailed testing and simulations are ensuring that the Mission succeeds and scientists are excited about the potential breakthroughs in studying the Sun and understanding Space weather.
ITS IMPACT ON SPACE WEATHER:
Data received from Proba-3 Mission could change how we predict Space weather, which is important for protecting satellites and essential infrastructure from Solar storms. The Mission aims to improve our knowledge of how the Sun affects the Solar system.
TECHNICAL FEATURES OF PROBA-3:
Proba-3 uses an Occulter satellite to block sunlight, making it easier to observe the Corona. The two satellites called Alpha and Beta, will orbit at different altitudes, with the main instrument being an external Coronagraph. Ground Stations will support communication and data collection.
Advanced equipments like cold gas thrusters and vision-based detection systems will help the Proba-3 Mission check out related technologies for formation flying and carryout different experiments related to meeting or docking of two or more Spacecrafts.
