The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 formation-flying mission is set to launch early Thursday morning, December 5, aboard an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The mission aims to create artificial eclipses in Earth orbit and will consist of two satellites weighing around 1,210 pounds.
The launch was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed due to a technical issue. The ESA has confirmed that the spacecraft is now ready for launch, with liftoff scheduled for 10:42 GMT on December 5.
As part of the mission’s standard operations, the Proba-3 satellites will demonstrate formation flying – a world-first – where they will maintain precise distance and alignment to create a “virtual giant satellite.” The Occulter spacecraft will block the sun’s disk from the Coronagraph’s perspective, creating total solar eclipses for observation.
The mission has significant implications for scientific research, particularly in understanding the corona, the sun’s outer atmosphere. Proba-3 is expected to operate for at least two years and could help solve sun mysteries, including why the corona is so hot and how the solar wind accelerates.
The ESA’s formation-flying technologies demonstrated by Proba-3 have far-reaching applications in Earth observation, satellite servicing, and more. With the mission set to launch on December 5, space enthusiasts can watch the action live via various platforms, including Space.com and ISRO.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/satellites/europes-proba-3-satellites-will-launch-early-dec-4-to-create-artificial-eclipses-in-space-watch-the-liftoff-live