ISRO delays Proba-3 launch to December 5 due to propulsion anomaly; PSLV-C59 to deploy two satellites for ESA mission.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) initiated a revised countdown for the European Space Agency바카라™s (ESA) Proba-3 mission on December 5. Initially scheduled for December 4 at 4:08 PM IST, the launch faced a delay due to an anomaly detected in the satellite바카라™s propulsion system, as reported by ESA. The new launch time is set for December 5 at 4:04 PM IST.
The Proba-3 mission will utilize ISRO바카라™s PSLV-C59 rocket, standing 44.5 meters tall. This launch marks the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle's (PSLV) 61st mission and its 26th flight using the PSLV-XL variant, designed to handle heavier payloads. Within 18 minutes of lift-off, the rocket will deploy two satellites바카라”Coronagraph (310 kg) and Occulter (240 kg)바카라”into a designated orbit.
Proba-3바카라™s primary objective is to demonstrate precise formation flying in space. The two satellites will maintain a separation of 150 meters while functioning as a single observatory. The Occulter will block the Sun바카라™s disk, allowing the Coronagraph to study the solar corona바카라”the Sun's outer atmosphere, which is significantly hotter than its surface. This layer is critical in understanding space weather, including solar flares and coronal mass ejections.
Technologically, the mission is a significant step forward. The satellites will follow a 19-hour elliptical orbit, positioning them near the solar rim for about six hours per cycle. This unique positioning enables advanced solar observations, funded under ESA바카라™s General Support Technology Programme. The insights gained will contribute to future advancements in space-based observation and technology.
For ISRO, Proba-3 represents a continuation of its commitment to solar studies. This mission builds upon the success of Aditya-L1, India바카라™s first solar observation mission, launched in September 2023. Aditya-L1 provided groundbreaking data on solar dynamics, and Proba-3 aims to enhance this understanding further.
NewSpace India Ltd., ISRO바카라™s commercial arm, secured the ESA contract, underscoring India바카라™s growing reputation as a reliable partner in global space exploration. ESA emphasized the importance of the mission, highlighting the solar corona as the origin of space weather and a vital area for scientific exploration.
The mission바카라™s name, derived from the Latin word Probas meaning "Let바카라™s try," reflects its experimental nature. Beyond its technological demonstration, Proba-3 is expected to yield crucial insights into solar phenomena and improve space weather prediction models.
This collaborative effort between ISRO and ESA shows the growing international partnerships in space research. It also reaffirms ISRO바카라™s position as a global leader in satellite launches, advancing both scientific discovery and technological innovation.
(This article is a reworked version of a PTI feed.)