India to Create ‘Artificial’ Solar Eclipse with PSLV-C59/Proba-3 Mission Launch

India is set to launch the PSLV-C59/Proba-3 mission on December 4, marking a significant milestone in space research. Developed by ESA in collaboration with ISRO, the mission will simulate a solar eclipse in space using two spacecraft to block sunlight and study the Sun’s corona in unprecedented detail. The launch from Sriharikota will utilize the PSLV-C59 vehicle and further strengthen India’s space capabilities and global collaborations.

India is set to play a crucial role in creating an ‘artificial’ solar eclipse with the launch of the PSLV-C59/Proba-3 mission on December 4. Scheduled to lift off at 4:06 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, the mission will allow scientists to simulate a solar eclipse in space, offering unprecedented opportunities for solar research.

Developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with ISRO, the Proba-3 mission will demonstrate precision formation flying in orbit. The mission involves two spacecraft: the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC), which will work together to block sunlight and create an artificial eclipse. This setup will enable detailed study of the Sun’s corona, providing up to 100 times more observation time than a natural eclipse.

This mission marks a significant milestone in both India’s space advancements and the ongoing collaboration between ISRO and ESA. The PSLV-C59 launch vehicle will carry two ESA satellites, each weighing around 550 kg, into a highly elliptical orbit.

The PSLV-C59 mission will be the 61st flight of the PSLV and the 26th using the PSLV-XL configuration. It highlights the precision and reliability of India’s trusted PSLV vehicle, essential for international space missions.