Recently, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) famous PROBA-3 mission passed its last and final test and delivered it to India for its final launch in space on 29 November 2024. This is really big news for Indians. PROBA-3 is a highly innovative mission supervised by the European Space Agency (ESA) to transform space observation, particularly solar science, through advanced flying technology. In the past few years, ISRO launched many missions and completed them on time. Whether it’s about Chandrayaan or Aditya’s mission, they proved their ability to touch the sky. Now it’s the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) responsibility to launch ESA’s PROBA-3 mission successfully in space. This mission highlights the joint efforts and shared expertise of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It showcases a remarkable example of international cooperation in space exploration.

What is the PROBA-3 Mission?

Let’s first understand what exactly PROBA-3 is. PROBA-3 implies ‘Project for On-Board Autonomy-3.’ 

Proba 3 is the ESA’s mission about precision formation flying. The main goal of this mission is to launch two satellites that together work in a way that maintains a specific set of measured distances and alignments in space. With the help of this, scientists can practically test and understand advanced technology related to spacecraft.

If we talk about PROBA-3, then it comprises two independent spacecraft:

• Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC)
• Occulter Spacecraft (OSC)

Both are three-axis stabilized spacecraft that will fly in close and coordinate with each other at a distance of 144 metres. By flying in a coordinated manner, they will create a solar coronagraph to understand more about the sun’s outer atmosphere, or the corona.

According to Founder & CEO of Space Kidz India, Srimathy Kesan, PROBA-3 will not only exhibit precise formation flying but also test key technologies required to keep satellites close together. The mission’s goal is to achieve Technology Readiness Level 9 (TLR 9), highlighting improvements in measurement systems, control mechanisms, and manoeuvring techniques. These capabilities will enable accurate movements crucial for both the mission and future space exploration projects.

What are the main objectives of The PROBA-3 Mission?

PROBA-3 is a joint space mission where ISRO and ESA are working together to develop technologies to unravel the secrets of the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The ESA’s PROBA-3 mission is designed to form an artificial eclipse. This will enable scientists to gain a clearer understanding of the sun’s outer atmosphere. The sun’s corona atmosphere hides due to intense brightness, but with PROBE-3 we can block sunlight and can continue to study solar phenomena more insightfully. 

These studies will pave the way for developing future technologies capable of managing the effects of solar activity. So, there is a chance that shortly, scientists can develop advanced technology to build satellites, power grids on Earth, communication systems, and navigation systems that can withstand solar radiation.

In what ways does PROBA-3 differ from other Solar Observation Projects?

After releasing this news, a series of questions arose in scientific communities: ‘How is PROBA-3 different from other solar missions?’ Let’s find out what makes this mission worth it.

• In comparison with other solar observation projects, PROBA-3 is based on small and agile satellites with advanced sensors. 
• PROBA-3 is a less expensive mission than other solar missions. For example, in PROBA-3, two smaller satellites fly in coordinated manners. This demonstrates flexibility and helps space agencies to develop technologies that are both highly efficient and cost-effective.

Wrapping Up

These pairs of satellites in the PROBA-3 mission will definitely open up the doors to exploring solar science. This understanding will help us to invent technologies that can help us cope with solar impacts. ISRO helping with launch ESA’s PROBA-3 mission from their Satish Dhawan Space Centre, this European space agency’s PROBA-3 will reach its destination successfully. With this mission, space science will mark an important milestone and reach new heights. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Ques 1. Who will launch PROBA-3?

Ans. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) PROBA-3 mission on 29 November 2024 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.

Ques 2. Which countries collaborate in the PROBA-3 mission?

Ans. The PROBA-3 mission is a joint effort involving collaboration from all the member nations of the European Space Agency (ESA). It includes France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and India from ISRO. They together contributed to creating PROBA-3 to study the sun’s outer atmosphere.

Ques 3. What technologies will ISRO contribute to the PROBA-3 mission?

Ans. ISRO contributed in many ways, like providing advanced satellites and sensors and also guiding so that the two spacecraft flew in an accurate and precise manner. Apart from this, ISRO’s contribution is also crucial for correct alignment between the spacecraft.

Read More: Chandrayaan-4 Coming? A Glimpse into India’s Next Lunar Mission

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