Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up to launch the European Space Agency's (ESA) Proba-3 mission on December 4. According to ISRO, the satellite is scheduled to take off at 4.08 pm on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the space exploration endeavors of both India and the European Space Agency.
The Proba-3 mission is part of ESA's PRoject for On-Board Autonomy (Proba) series, which aims to test new space technologies. Proba-3 is composed of two satellites, the coronagraph and the occulting disk, which will work in tandem to study the Sun's corona and demonstrate precise formation flying techniques in space.
Proba-3 will be launched on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The PSLV has proven its reliability with several successful launches in the past, and ISRO is confident of the mission's success.
ISRO has been actively collaborating with international space agencies, including ESA, to explore new frontiers in space research and exploration. This collaboration facilitates knowledge sharing and pooling of resources, leading to more efficient utilization of capabilities and expertise.
The Proba-3 mission is anticipated to expand our understanding of the Sun's outer atmosphere, which is much hotter than the Sun's surface. This information can be instrumental in improving our grasp of solar physics, better understanding the impact of the Sun on space weather, and enhancing the accuracy of solar forecasting.
ISRO's involvement in the Proba-3 mission demonstrates its increasing prominence in the international space community. With this launch, ISRO further reinforces its status as a reliable and efficient space agency capable of supporting cutting-edge missions.