Produced by: Manoj Kumar
ISRO’s PSLV rocket will launch ESA’s Proba-3 on December 4 to study the solar corona, marking a breakthrough in “precision formation flying,” where two satellites operate as one system.
Proba-3 aims to unlock the mysteries of the Sun’s outermost layer, the solar corona, where temperatures soar to 2 million degrees Fahrenheit and which influences space weather affecting Earth.
Credit : ESA
The mission features two satellites, the Occulter and the Coronagraph, which will separate post-launch and align 150 meters apart to mimic an artificial solar eclipse for six-hour observations.
Credit : ESA
Equipped with cutting-edge instruments, including ASPIICS for coronagraphy, DARA for solar irradiance, and 3DEES for electron flux, Proba-3 sets a new benchmark for space weather research.
Credit : ESA
Simulating 50 solar eclipses annually, Proba-3 extends eclipse observation time from 10 minutes to six hours, offering unparalleled insights into the Sun’s elusive features.
Developed with expertise from Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Switzerland, Proba-3 showcases international teamwork, with India playing a key role in the mission’s launch.
India’s space sector gains global recognition as ISRO secures this high-profile mission, cementing its reputation as a cost-effective and reliable launch partner.
Indian solar physicists may gain exclusive access to Proba-3 data, potentially leading to joint research opportunities with ESA and advancing solar science in India.
Credit : ESA
Proba-3 data could synergize with India’s Aditya L1 mission to the Sun, creating opportunities for collaborative studies and expanding humanity’s understanding of solar dynamics.