The European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission, aimed at creating artificial solar eclipses for the purpose of studying the Sun’s corona, has officially begun its journey to the launch site in India. The mission recently left the Redwire Space facility in Kruibeke, Belgium, and is now en route to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre near Chennai, where final preparations for launch will commence. The primary goal of Proba-3 is to enable prolonged observations of the Sun’s corona, a phenomenon that is typically only visible during natural solar eclipses on Earth.
Innovative Formation Flying for Solar Research
Proba-3 represents a groundbreaking initiative within the ESA, consisting of two spacecraft: the Occulter and the Coronagraph. These satellites will work together in a precise formation, with one spacecraft casting a shadow over the other to simulate an eclipse necessary for corona observation. According to ESA Mission Manager Damien Galano, achieving this level of accuracy has taken years of development, ensuring that the satellites can autonomously maintain their formation within a margin of just one millimeter. This mission promises to deliver unparalleled insights into solar activity by providing detailed images of the Sun’s outer layers.
Launch Plans and Technical Hurdles
The launch of the Proba-3 mission is slated for December 4, where it will be deployed via India’s PSLV-XL rocket. Once launched, the spacecraft will enter a highly elliptical orbit, reaching altitudes between 600 km and 60,000 km above the Earth. This specific orbit is crucial as it minimizes gravitational effects, facilitating the formation flying while also conserving fuel. Following a brief delay related to air freight logistics—where the spacecraft’s batteries had to be transported separately—the mission remains on track for its scheduled launch.
Collaborative Effort and Advanced Instruments
The Proba-3 mission showcases a collaborative effort involving expertise from 14 ESA member countries, as well as Canada. The project, spearheaded by Spain’s Sener and supported by Airbus Defence and Space, includes contributions from partners like GMV and Spacebel, which specialize in satellite navigation and software development. Among the mission’s key instruments are the ASPIICS corona-imaging device developed by Belgium’s Royal Observatory and the DARA radiometer from Switzerland’s Physical Meteorological Observatory, both designed to investigate solar energy output.
Preparations and Simulations
The final operations for the mission will be coordinated from ESA’s European Space Security and Education Centre in Redu, Belgium. Extensive simulations and training exercises are currently in progress to ensure that the Proba-3 mission is well-prepared for deployment and subsequent operations in space, marking a significant advancement in solar observation technologies.
