PROBA-3 SPACE SATELLITE

TAG: GS- 3 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, India’s space agency ISRO is set to launch the European Union’s mission, the Proba-3 space satellite, in December 2024.

EXPLANATION:

Table of Contents

The Proba-3 satellite will provide valuable data on solar corona dynamics, thereby enhancing solar science knowledge. It will be launched by a PSLV-XL rocket from Sriharikota.
Proba-3 is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission consisting of a large space telescope, interferometry and advanced scientific observation mission. They will work in close proximity to each other to create an artificial solar eclipse, allowing detailed studies of the solar corona – the Sun’s outer atmosphere.

The satellites will operate at a separation of approximately 150 meters, maintaining alignment to create a continuous, artificial solar eclipse.

The main goal of Proba-3 is to demonstrate the ability to control two satellites flying simultaneously with an accuracy of less than a millimetre.
Together, the two Proba-3 satellites will act as a coronagraph, blocking out the Sun’s bright disk and showing the faint corona that surrounds it. Studying the corona will provide valuable information about the solar wind, solar storms and space weather and their effects on Earth’s atmosphere.
Proba-3 will demonstrate advanced autonomous control systems, allowing satellites to adjust their positions with minimal input from Earth. This technology is essential for deep space missions.
It represents India’s collaboration with the EU for advanced space exploration, building on past successes like the Chandrayaan-3 mission and earlier Proba satellite launches.

Space Weather Research: Observing the solar corona is vital for understanding solar activities like coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which can impact Earth’s satellite systems, power grids, and communication networks.
Technological Demonstration: Success in precise formation flying will pave the way for future space missions that require multiple satellites working together, such as Earth observation, astronomy, and space exploration missions.
Formation Flying Capabilities: Proba-3’s demonstration of formation flying will be a milestone in satellite technology, showcasing the potential for distributed spacecraft systems, which can perform more complex tasks than a single satellite could achieve alone.
- Marks the third Proba satellite launch by ISRO for the EU, building on past successful launches of Proba-1 and Proba-2.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2070865

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