The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission is intended for permanent solar observation as it leaves Europe for its launch site in India.

The two spacecraft, designed to create an artificial solar eclipse by precisely maneuvering in orbit, left the Redwire Space facility in Belgium and will arrive at the Satish Dhawan Space Center near Chennai for a planned launch on December 4, 2024.

Mission leader Damien Galano highlighted the importance of this initiative, emphasizing that it aims to maintain a shadow between the satellites with millimeter precision, allowing continuous observation of the solar corona, previously visible only during brief terrestrial eclipses.

“Once in orbit, Proba-3’s two satellites will provide sustained views of the Sun’s thin surrounding atmosphere, or corona, which was previously visible only for brief moments during terrestrial solar eclipses. To achieve this, the shadow cast between the spacecraft must remain in a precise position, meaning they must fly autonomously in formation with a precision of a single millimeter – about the thickness of an average fingernail “, said Damien.

This is ESA’s first launch from India since 2001, with logistical issues related to battery installation issues now resolved.

The Proba-3 satellites will be launched using ISRO’s PSLV-XL rocket, capable of placing the 550 kg duo into a highly elliptical orbit, reaching altitudes of up to 60,000 km.

This high orbit is necessary because the two men will be conducting their active training, flying for six hours straight around their maximum altitude, where the Earth’s gravitational pull will be diminished, as will the amount of propellant needed to fine-tune their positions.

This formation flight, which will last six hours at a time, will reduce gravitational pull and propellant requirements.

Contributions from 14 ESA Member States and various organizations demonstrate the collaborative nature of the mission.

The Royal Observatory of Belgium will oversee the main instrument, ASPIICS, which will provide critical data on solar activity and its effects on space weather. Mission Control will be based at ESA’s ESEC in Belgium, where extensive pre-launch training is underway.

As Proba-3 embarks on its journey, it marks a significant advancement in solar research and international cooperation in space exploration.