What is the Proba-3 Mission?
The Proba-3 mission is a joint effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is the world’s first precision formation flying mission, designed to study the Sun’s corona closer to the solar rim than ever before. The mission uses two satellites flying in perfect coordination to create an artificial solar eclipse, providing scientists with a unique view of the Sun’s outer atmosphere.
Mission Highlights
- Innovative Technology: Demonstrates advanced satellite formation flying.
- Artificial Eclipse: Two small satellites work together to block sunlight, allowing detailed observations.
- Collaborative Effort: Developed with contributions from 14 European nations and 29 industry partners, including Airbus Defence and Space.
When will it be launched?
The mission is set to launch on December 4, 2024, through ISRO’s facilities. It will be streamed live on ESA Web TV and ISRO’s YouTube channel starting at 15:38 IST (10:08 GMT).
What Does "Proba" Mean?
The name “Proba” comes from Latin, meaning “Let’s try.” It reflects ESA’s experimental mission series, which began with Proba-1, followed by Proba-2 for Sun observations in 2009 and Proba-V for Earth vegetation monitoring in 2013.
The Proba-3 mission marks a significant step forward in space research and technology, opening doors for more collaborative and innovative satellite missions.
