ISRO to Launch ESA’s Proba-3 Mission on December 4

Why in the news?

 ISRO is launching ESA’s Proba-3 mission to study the Sun’s corona using advanced formation flying technology. The launch, scheduled for December 4, 2024, will be streamed live for public viewing.

ISRO to Launch ESA’s Proba-3 Mission on December 4

Mission Details:

  • ISRO is set to launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission using the PSLV-C59 rocket.
  • The launch is scheduled for 4:08 PM IST on December 4, 2024.
  • The launch will take place from First Launch Pad (FLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

Live Viewing:

  • Public viewing is available through online platforms as ISRO will stream the event live on its official website, YouTube channel, and social media.
  • In-person registration for the viewing gallery is open to space enthusiasts.

Proba-3 Mission Overview:

  • Objective: To study the Sun’s corona—the outermost layer of the Sun’s atmosphere—using advanced formation flying technology.
  • Innovation: The mission will involve two satellites maintaining a fixed 150-meter separation, forming a coronagraph to capture detailed images of the faint solar corona.
  • Orbit: The spacecraft will operate in a highly elliptical orbit between 600 km and 60,000 km from Earth.

Scientific and Technological Goals:

  • Solar Observation: To gain a better understanding of solar activity and its effects on space weather.
  • Precision Formation Flying: Demonstrate satellites’ ability to fly in a fixed, precise formation.
  • Technological Testing: Test metrology sensors, control algorithms, and proximity operations for space missions.
  • Rendezvous Experiments: Validate innovative techniques for satellite coordination in space.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times