ESA’s Proba-3 Mission Prepares for Launch on ISRO’s PSLV
Summary: Proba-3 Mission Prepares for Launch
ESA’s Proba-3 mission, the world’s first precision formation-flying mission, is set to launch in December 2024 aboard ISRO’s **PSLV-XL rocket**. The twin spacecraft, **Occulter (OSC)** and **Coronagraph (CSC)**, are stacked and ready at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR).
Key Details:
– Objective: Revolutionize solar corona observations by forming a 150-meter solar coronagraph in orbit.
– Orbit: Highly elliptical (60,500 km apogee, 600 km perigee) for extended observation time.
– Significance: Offers new insights into the Sun’s corona while demonstrating advanced formation-flying technology.
Final preparations are underway, with the space science community eagerly anticipating its groundbreaking contributions.
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission has reached a significant milestone as its twin spacecraft, the **Occulter Spacecraft (OSC)** and **Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC)**, have been stacked in their launch configuration at India’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR).
Key Mission Details:
– Groundbreaking Technology: Proba-3 is the world’s first mission to demonstrate precision formation-flying, aimed at revolutionizing solar corona observations and advancing space technologies.
– Unique Design: Once in orbit, the two spacecraft will separate and align to form a 150-meter solar coronagraph, allowing unprecedented study of the Sun’s faint corona near its rim.
– Launch and Orbit: Set for **December 2024**, the mission will be launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV-XL rocket and operate in an elliptical orbit (apogee: 60,500 km; perigee: 600 km) for extended observation periods.
Current Preparations:
– The OSC is stacked on top of the CSC in their launch position.
– The Coronagraph is being filled with hydrazine propellant to enable in-orbit maneuvers.
Importance of the Mission:
Proba-3 is expected to deliver groundbreaking insights into the Sun’s corona while showcasing advanced spacecraft control, setting a new benchmark for future missions. The global space science community is eagerly anticipating its data and technological contributions.
Stay Updated!
Join our WhatsApp Channel for the latest updates, exclusive content, and more! Click the link below to join now:
👉 Join Our WhatsApp Channel