ISRO’s Groundbreaking PROBA-3 Mission to Launch from Sriharikota Tomorrow: A Historic Leap for Space Exploration

ISRO has announced the upcoming launch of the PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 mission, scheduled for December 4 at 4:06 p.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. This mission marks the 61st flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the 26th using the PSLV-XL configuration. It aims to demonstrate precise formation flying, a technique of significant importance in space exploration.

The PSLV-C59 will transport the European Space Agency’s (ESA) PROBA-3 satellites, weighing approximately 550 kg, to a highly elliptical orbit. The mission features two spacecraft: the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC), which will be launched in a stacked configuration. This endeavor highlights the precision and reliability of PSLV, a launch vehicle renowned for carrying various payloads to space since its maiden launch in October 1994.

The mission exemplifies collaboration among ISRO, ESA, and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). The total launch mass will be around 320 tonnes and is expected to enhance the study of the solar corona— the Sun’s outermost and hottest layer. With this mission, PROBA-3 becomes the world’s first precision formation flying mission, showcasing advanced space exploration capabilities.

The last PSLV launch, designated PSLV-C58, successfully deployed the XPOSAT satellite into an Eastward low inclination orbit on January 1, 2024. This mission further underscores ISRO’s role in pioneering research and innovation in space exploration.

This report retains its originality and has not been modified, except for the headline, as it was published from a syndicated feed by IANS.

Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/isro-to-launch-proba-3-mission-satellites-from-sriharikota-tomorrow-7158900
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Publish Date: 2024-12-03 05:46:00