India’s PSLV Successfully Launches ESA’s Proba-3 Mission
India’s space programme achieved another remarkable milestone with the successful launch of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission. The mission was carried out by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) using its reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL). The launch, originally scheduled for Wednesday, took place on Thursday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, following a brief delay due to a technical snag.
Proba-3: A Leap Forward in Solar Research and Space Technology
Proba-3, a cutting-edge Sun-observing mission developed by ESA over a decade, comprises two satellites designed to operate in precise formation. Together, the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC) simulate a total solar eclipse, enabling prolonged observation of the Sun’s corona—critical for understanding phenomena such as coronal mass ejections and solar flares. These events have significant implications for Earth’s communication systems, navigation, and power grids.
The satellites, weighing a combined 545 kg, were deployed into a highly elliptical orbit approximately 600 km above Earth, 18 minutes after liftoff. The mission enables up to six hours of uninterrupted observation of the inner corona per orbit, vastly surpassing the fleeting durations of natural solar eclipses, which occur only about 60 times a century.
Strengthening ESA’s Solar Research
Proba-3 joins ESA’s Solar Orbiter in advancing the understanding of the Sun’s complex dynamics. The €200 million ($210 million) mission, supported by over 40 European companies, including SENER Aerospace, Redwire Space, and Airbus Defence and Space, aims to uncover the origins of solar wind and coronal mass ejections.
“The corona of the Sun has been poorly investigated. Understanding its dynamics is critical for predicting space weather and mitigating its risks,” said Esther Bastida Pertegaz, Proba-3 Systems Engineer.
ISRO’s Growing Commercial and Technological Prowess
The launch marks the 61st flight of the PSLV and was conducted under NewSpace India Ltd. (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm. By deploying ESA’s Proba-3, ISRO reinforced its reputation as a dependable partner for international space missions. ESA, facing setbacks in its own launch capabilities due to delays in the Ariane 6 programme and geopolitical tensions severing access to Russian Soyuz rockets, chose ISRO for its cost efficiency and proven reliability.
This mission also highlights ISRO’s technological achievements, adding to recent successes such as the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing and the Aditya-L1 solar observatory. As ISRO progresses with its Gaganyaan mission to send Indian astronauts into space and plans further exploration of the Moon, Mars, and Venus, it is simultaneously cementing its position as a global leader in commercial space launches.
A Bright Future for ISRO-ESA Collaboration
The Proba-3 mission solidifies a long-standing partnership between ISRO and ESA, dating back to the Proba-1 mission launched by ISRO in 2001. The success of Proba-3 not only bolsters ESA’s solar research capabilities but also reaffirms ISRO’s role as a key player in the international space sector.
With this launch, ISRO continues to demonstrate its capacity to handle complex missions, pushing the boundaries of space science and technology while strengthening its influence in the global space industry.