All about Proba-3, the advanced European solar mission that ISRO will launch

All about Proba-3, the advanced European solar mission that ISRO will launch

Sub : Sci

Sec :Space sector

Context:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission on its PSLV rocket to study the solar corona, the outermost and hottest part of the Sun’s atmosphere, from Sriharikota.

Details of the Proba-3 mission:

• The mission will also attempt the first-ever “precision formation flying”, where two satellites will fly together and maintain a fixed configuration in space.
• Proba-3 is part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba missions.
• Predecessors: Proba-1 (2001) and Proba-2 (2009)
• Collaborators: Scientists from Spain, Belgium, Poland, Italy, and Switzerland.
• Mission Life: 2 years.
• Orbit: Highly elliptical, 600 x 60,530 km, with a 19.7-hour orbital period.
• Satellite Configuration:
  • Two satellites will separate post-launch and fly in tandem to form a solar coronagraph, an instrument that blocks the Sun’s bright light for better observation.

Scientific Goals:

• Why Study the Solar Corona?

1. The corona’s temperature can exceed 2 million °F, making it challenging to observe.
2. Understanding the corona is crucial as it is the origin of space weather phenomena like solar storms and winds, which impact:
   • Satellite communications
   • Navigation systems
   • Power grids on Earth.

• Onboard Instruments:

1. Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun (ASPIICS) (or Coronagraph): Observes the Sun’s inner and outer corona, usually visible only during solar eclipses.
   • Equipped with a 4-metre occulting disk to block sunlight.
2. DARA (Digital Absolute Radiometer): Measures the Sun’s total energy output (solar irradiance).
3. 3DEES (3D Energetic Electron Spectrometer): Measures electron fluxes in Earth’s radiation belts for space weather studies.

Unique Features:

• Eclipse Simulation:
  • The Occulter Satellite (200 kg) creates a shadow that allows the Coronagraph Satellite (340 kg) to observe the solar corona.
  • Satellites maintain a precise 150-metre separation to simulate a stable eclipse for 6 hours at a time.
  • Mimics 50 solar eclipses annually (compared to ~1.5 natural eclipses per year, lasting ~10 minutes each).
• If done successfully, the Occulter will create an artificial yet stable eclipse, by masking large parts of the Sun. As a result, the Sun’s blinding light will get blocked and only the solar corona will be visible to the coronagraph, which will photograph and facilitate studies of the lesser-known features.
• Formation Flying:
  • Autonomous positioning and precise flight coordination ensure continuous solar observation.

India’s Role and Benefits

• Launch Partner: Demonstrates India’s reliable and cost-effective launch capabilities.
• Scientific Collaboration:
  • Indian solar physicists contributed to the mission’s goals.
  • Post-launch collaboration with ESA to merge data from Proba-3 and Aditya L1 (India’s 2023 solar mission).
• Exclusive Data Access: Strengthens India’s research capabilities in solar studies.

Source: IE