ISRO Reschedules Proba-3 Mission Launch After Anomaly ISRO Reschedules Proba-3 Mission Launch After Anomaly

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) initiated a revised countdown for the European Space Agency’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 satellite’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 ISRO’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 satellites—Coronagraph (310 kg) and Occulter (240 kg)—into a designated orbit.

Proba-3’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 Sun’s disk, allowing the Coronagraph to study the solar corona—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 ESA’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, India’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., ISRO’s commercial arm, secured the ESA contract, underscoring India’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 mission’s name, derived from the Latin word Probas meaning "Let’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 ISRO’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.)spy77 slot

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