Exciting Launch Alert: ISRO’s Powerful PSLV-XL Rocket Propels ESA’s Proba-3 Mission to New Heights
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is poised to launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission on Wednesday using the PSLV-XL rocket. Scheduled for 4:08 PM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the mission marks the PSLV’s 61st flight, utilizing the PSLV-XL configuration for the 26th time.
Proba-3 is aimed at observing the Sun’s faint corona near the solar rim. This in-orbit demonstration (IOD) mission consists of two spacecraft—the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC)—launched in a stacked configuration. The mission will showcase precise formation flying, with the spacecraft forming a 144-meter-long solar coronagraph to study the Sun’s elusive corona, which is difficult to view due to the solar disk’s brightness.
The satellites will enter a highly elliptical orbit, reaching distances of up to 60,000 km from Earth and coming as close as 600 km during each orbit. This high-altitude orbit will enable six hours of formation flying at peak altitude, where the reduced gravitational pull allows for decreased propellant use and optimal control of spacecraft positioning.
Proba-3 signifies a notable collaboration between India and Europe, being the first mission launched from India since ESA’s Proba-1 mission in 2001. The satellites were transported from Liege, Belgium, to Chennai airport before making their way to Sriharikota. This mission, conducted by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) alongside ISRO’s engineering expertise, highlights India’s growing importance in global space partnerships.
ISRO hailed the mission as a significant milestone in India’s space journey, underscoring the strength of international collaboration. The launch exemplifies India’s increasing role in the realm of global space exploration.
Original Source: https://www.siasat.com/isros-pslv-xl-rocket-to-launch-esas-proba-3-mission-on-wednesday-3142225/
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Publish Date: 2024-12-04 11:05:00
