PSLV-C59 places PROBA-3 satellites into designated orbit with precision

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Last Updated07/12/2024

After being rescheduled for a day due to an anomaly detected, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Thursday successfully launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C59 rocket.

On December 5, 2024, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked another milestone by successfully launching the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C59. The launch occurred at 4:04 p.m. from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, following a one-day delay due to an anomaly alert.

Proba-3 Mission Objectives:
- ESA’s Proba-3 mission comprises two spacecraft designed to perform precise formation flying, demonstrating a pioneering technology for future space missions.
Launch Precision:
- The PSLV-C59 deployed the twin satellites into their designated highly elliptical orbit with remarkable accuracy, achieving all mission objectives.
Technical Highlights:
- The Proba-3 spacecraft will operate with a formation accuracy down to a single millimetre, functioning as one giant spacecraft.
- The mission will produce artificial solar eclipses in space, enabling prolonged observations of the Sun’s corona.
Post-Launch Developments:
- The satellites separated 18 minutes post-launch and are undergoing initial commissioning, managed by ESA’s mission control in Belgium. Operational phases, including corona observations, are slated to begin in approximately four months.

PSLV Legacy:
- The PSLV-C59 mission marks the 61st flight of the PSLV and the 26th in the PSLV-XL configuration. It underscores ISRO’s reputation for reliable satellite launches, further strengthening its global standing as a preferred launch partner.
Global Collaboration:
- This launch highlights India’s growing role in international space missions, showcasing its capabilities in deploying sophisticated payloads for global space agencies like ESA.

Proba-3’s technology demonstrates a paradigm shift in spacecraft design and operation. Its ability to create artificial solar eclipses will enable unprecedented research into solar phenomena, including the Sun’s corona. The mission is also a testbed for precise formation flying, paving the way for advanced multi-satellite missions in the future.