NEWS – The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C59) successfully launched the PROBA-3 satellite, marking ISRO’s 61st commercial mission. A collaboration between ISRO, the European Space Agency (ESA), and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

HIGHLIGHTS

What is PROBA-3?

• PROBA-3 stands for Project for Onboard Autonomy, a program by the ESA.
• It is the third satellite in the PROBA series, focusing on solar research.

Mission Purpose

• Aims to study the Sun’s corona with unprecedented precision.
• Demonstrates advanced formation flying technology for scientific exploration.

Satellite Structure

• Consists of two independent spacecraft:
  1. Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) – 310 kg.
  2. Occulter Spacecraft (OSC) – 240 kg.
• Both maintain a highly elliptical orbit, with an apogee of 60,500 km.

Formation Flying Technology

• The satellites will maintain a precise formation, separated by 150 meters.
• This creates a virtual solar coronagraph for observing the Sun’s faint corona.
• Operates autonomously without ground guidance.

Imaging Capabilities

• PROBA-3 can map the corona in the full electromagnetic spectrum, including:
  • Visible light
  • Ultraviolet (UV)
  • Infrared (IR)
  • Polarized light
• Observations extend to 1 solar radii from the Sun.

Scientific Goals

• To study the corona’s structure and dynamics near the Sun’s rim.
• Offers unparalleled precision in observing solar activities.

Testing and Validation

• ESA will conduct safety and collision-mitigation tests for the tandem satellites.
• The pair will demonstrate proximity operations, rendezvous, and convoy flying during each orbit.

Technological Applications

• Serves as a “laboratory in space” to test algorithms for navigation and control.
• Could aid in future missions, such as Mars Sample Return or de-orbiting debris to declutter Earth’s orbit.