ISRO's PSLV-XL Rocket Set to Launch ESA's Proba-3 Mission on Wednesday
Click to start listening
New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV-XL rocket is poised to launch the European Space Agency (ESA) Proba-3 Sun observation mission on Wednesday.
The PSLV-C59/Proba-3 mission is scheduled for liftoff on Wednesday at 4:08 pm from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), located in Sriharikota.
ISRO announced on social media platform X, “Liftoff Day is Here!”
The agency emphasized, “PSLV-C59, showcasing the proven expertise of ISRO, is ready to deliver ESA’s Proba-3 satellites into orbit.”
Proba-3 is designed to investigate the Sun's faint corona near the solar edge. This mission is an in-orbit demonstration (IOD) by the ESA to showcase precise formation flying capabilities.
The mission comprises two spacecraft: the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC), which will be launched simultaneously in a stacked configuration aboard the PSLV-XL rocket, according to ISRO. This marks the 61st flight of the PSLV and the 26th utilizing the PSLV-XL configuration.
The spacecraft will form a 144-metre-long instrument known as a solar coronagraph, allowing scientists to examine the Sun's corona, which is challenging to observe due to the brightness of the solar disk.
By being placed into a highly elliptical orbit, the pair will reach 60,000 km from Earth and descend as close as 600 km during each orbit.
This high-altitude orbit will enable the satellites to perform formation flying for approximately six hours at peak altitude, where Earth's gravitational pull is diminished. This reduces propellant usage and facilitates optimal positioning control.
ESA’s Proba-3 will be the first mission to launch from India since the Proba-1 mission in 2001, highlighting the strengthening space collaboration.
The Proba-3 satellites were transported to Chennai airport from Liege, Belgium, and subsequently trucked to the spaceport at Sriharikota.
The PSLV-C59 vehicle will deploy the Proba-3 spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit as a dedicated commercial mission of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). This launch also signifies India's increasing contributions to global space exploration.
ISRO stated, “This mission, powered by NSIL with ISRO’s engineering excellence, reflects the strength of international collaboration. A proud milestone in India’s space journey and a shining example of global partnerships.”
