The European Space Agency (ESA) made a significant stride in solar research this Thursday by launching the Proba-3 mission aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV-XL rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. Originally set for Wednesday, the launch faced a brief delay due to a technical snag but successfully lifted off at 10:34 GMT.
Proba-3 is a state-of-the-art two-satellite system developed over more than a decade, designed to operate for two years. Its primary goal is to enhance global efforts in understanding the economic and technological risks posed by space weather, particularly the sun's complex dynamics.
Mission director M. Jayakumar confirmed the successful injection of the satellites into orbit at 10:58 GMT. This launch bolsters ESA's solar research capabilities, complementing the ongoing studies conducted by the Solar Orbiter.
Proba-3 aims to observe the sun's inner corona for up to six hours per orbit, a duration far exceeding the fleeting moments of natural solar eclipses that occur roughly 60 times a century. Esther Bastida Pertegaz, Proba-3 Systems Engineer, emphasized the mission's importance in understanding phenomena like coronal mass ejections and solar wind, which can disrupt communications, navigation systems, and power grids on Earth.
The mission is a testament to international collaboration, supported by over 40 European companies, including SENER Aerospace, Redwire Space, and Airbus Defence and Space, and comes with a price tag of approximately 200 million euros ($210 million).
Thursday's successful launch adds to ISRO's impressive portfolio, following the recent Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing and the Aditya-L1 solar observatory. These achievements highlight ISRO's pivotal role in advancing space technology and research on the global stage.
Reference(s):
Europe's sun-studying Proba-3 mission lifts off on Indian rocket
cgtn.com
