Today, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission was successfully launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

At 4:04 p.m. IST, the launch took place from ISRO’s spaceport in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

This is a major partnership between ESA and ISRO’s commercial division, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

Proba-3 mission: A multinational Endeavor

Scientists from several European countries, including Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Switzerland, collaborated on the Proba-3 mission.

The mission will operate for two years with a €200 million budget.

The 340 kg Coronagraph spacecraft and the 200 kg Occulter spacecraft are its two primary parts.

Together, the two spacecraft will build a solar coronagraph that will allow for in-depth studies.

Mission’s Goal is to Study the Sun’s Corona

Studying the Sun’s corona, a layer known for its blazing temperatures of up to 2 million degrees Fahrenheit, is the primary objective of the Proba-3 mission.

For space weather phenomena like solar storms and winds that can disrupt satellite communications, navigation systems, and Earth’s power networks, the layer is essential.

By providing “solar eclipses on demand,” the mission will enable researchers to continuously observe this mysterious region of the Sun.

Proba-3 Mission to Demonstrate Precision Formation flying technology

Another goal of the Proba-3 mission is to showcase precision formation flying technology, which is essential for upcoming space exploration missions.

Using the Proba-3 spacecraft as a “large rigid structure,” it will be possible to observe the Sun’s corona clearly.

It is anticipated that this new method will improve our knowledge of space weather phenomena that may affect Earth-based systems and provide hitherto unheard-of insights into the Sun’s outer atmosphere.