EUROPEAN SOLAR MISSION, PROBA-3

Significance of European Solar Mission, Proba-3, Launched by ISRO

Overview of the Mission

  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission on December 4, using the PSLV rocket.
  • The mission aims to study the solar corona, the outermost and hottest part of the Sun’s atmosphere.
  • Proba-3 marks the first-ever “precision formation flying”, where two satellites will maintain a fixed configuration in space.

Key Features of Proba-3

  • Cost and Design:
    • Developed at an estimated cost of 200 million euros.
    • Mission lifespan: 2 years.
    • Orbits in a highly elliptical path (600 km x 60,530 km) with an orbital period of 7 hours.
  • Satellite Configuration:
    • Comprises two satellites:
    • Occulter Spacecraft (200 kg).
    • Coronagraph Spacecraft (340 kg).
    • Satellites fly in tandem, separated by a fixed distance of 150 meters, mimicking a natural solar eclipse.
  • Scientific Objectives:
    • Formation of an artificial solar coronagraph to block the Sun’s bright light and observe its corona in detail.
    • Enables observations of solar phenomena such as:
    • Solar storms.
    • Solar winds.
    • Space weather events.

Instruments Onboard Proba-3

  • ASPIICS: Captures images of the corona by blocking sunlight with a 14-meter occulting disk.
  • DARA: Measures total solar energy (solar irradiance).
  • 3DEES: Studies electron flux and space weather.

Significance of Proba-3

  • Scientific Importance:
    • Proba-3 will create a stable artificial solar eclipse, allowing detailed observation of the corona for up to 6 hours annually.
    • Helps study the Sun’s corona, a critical area for understanding space weather and solar phenomena.
  • Unique Approach:
    • Precision flying enables the Occulter and Coronagraph satellites to maintain their relative position with millimeter-level accuracy.
    • Such positioning allows autonomous and precise observations of the Sun.

Benefits for India

  • Advancement in Space Capabilities:
    • Strengthens India’s position as a reliable partner for international space collaborations.
    • Demonstrates ISRO’s ability to handle complex missions requiring high precision.
  • Cost-Effective Launch:
    • Launching Proba-3 highlights India’s affordable space solutions for global partners.
  • Collaborative Opportunities:
    • Indian solar physicists are actively involved in conceptualizing the mission’s scientific goals.
    • Proba-3 provides opportunities for collaborative research with European scientists.
    • Data from Proba-3 complements India’s solar mission, Aditya-L1, launched in 2023.
  • Scientific Advancements:
    • Offers exclusive data for Indian researchers, aiding in new discoveries about the Sun and its lesser-known features.

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