Following the recent Total Solar Eclipse, ISRO and ESA are partnering to launch Proba-3 spacecraft, which will use precision formation flying to artificially create solar eclipses in space. This innovative mission will allow for closer study of the Sun's mysterious corona and provide valuable insights into space weather. With cutting-edge technologies and precise coordination, Proba-3 is set to launch via the PSLV from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Once in orbit, the spacecraft will autonomously perform formation flying, enabling six hours of observation per orbit and bridging the observational gap between the low and high corona.
Proba-3 Mission: Unveiling the Secrets of the Sun with Artificial Solar Eclipses
Following the spectacular Total Solar Eclipse in October 2023, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) are embarking on a groundbreaking mission to launch the Proba-3 spacecraft. This innovative mission will harness precision formation flying technology to create artificial solar eclipses in space, offering scientists unprecedented opportunities to study the Sun's enigmatic corona.
Background: The Importance of Studying the Corona
The corona is the outermost layer of the Sun's atmosphere, extending millions of kilometers into space. It plays a crucial role in space weather phenomena that can impact Earth's communications, power grids, and even astronauts in space. However, the corona is notoriously difficult to observe due to the Sun's intense brightness.
Proba-3 Mission: Artificial Solar Eclipses
The Proba-3 spacecraft will be launched into an elliptical orbit around Earth. Once in orbit, it will autonomously perform a complex formation flying maneuver with two separate instruments: Coronagraph 1 and Coronagraph 2.
By positioning Coronagraph 1 slightly ahead of the Sun and Coronagraph 2 precisely behind, Proba-3 will create artificial solar eclipses. During these eclipses, Coronagraph 1 will block the Sun's direct light, allowing Coronagraph 2 to capture detailed images of the corona.
Scientific Objectives
The Proba-3 mission aims to address several fundamental questions about the Sun's corona, including:
By studying the corona in unprecedented detail, Proba-3 will provide valuable insights into these phenomena and improve our understanding of space weather.
Launch and Timeline
The Proba-3 spacecraft is scheduled to launch in 2024 via the PSLV rocket from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Once in orbit, it will begin its formation flying operations, enabling up to six hours of coronal observations per orbit. The mission is expected to have a lifespan of at least two years.
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