Proba-3 Mission

Context:
ISRO is set to launch the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission from Sriharikota using the PSLV rocket. This mission is significant for its focus on the solar corona, the Sun’s outermost and hottest layer, and will demonstrate the world’s first precision formation flying in space.

Key Objectives and Significance of Proba-3

1. Precision Formation Flying:
   • The mission consists of two satellites:
     • Occulter Spacecraft (blocks the Sun’s bright light).
     • Coronagraph Spacecraft (captures the surrounding atmosphere of the Sun).
   • These satellites will fly in tandem to create an artificial solar eclipse, a technique allowing extended and uninterrupted observation of the Sun’s corona.
2. Solar Corona Observation:
   • The solar corona is difficult to observe due to its extremely high temperatures, reaching up to 2 million degrees Fahrenheit.
   • Understanding the corona is crucial for studying space weather phenomena like solar flares, solar storms, and solar winds, which can impact Earth’s satellites and communication systems.
3. Extended Observation Window:
   • While natural solar eclipses provide only about 10 minutes of corona observation, Proba-3 will offer up to 6 hours of continuous observation per event, equivalent to 50 solar eclipses annually.

Instruments Onboard Proba-3

1. ASPIICS (Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun):
   • A coronagraph that provides imaging of the Sun’s outer and inner corona.
   • It includes an occulting disk to block direct sunlight and capture clear images of the corona.
2. DARA (Digital Absolute Radiometer):
   • Measures the total solar irradiance or energy output from the Sun.
   • Helps in understanding the Sun’s energy dynamics.
3. 3DEES (3D Energetic Electron Spectrometer):
   • Monitors electron fluxes through Earth’s radiation belts.
   • Contributes to space weather studies by analyzing high-energy electrons.

Benefits for India

1. Technological Collaboration:
   • Proba-3 showcases ISRO’s cost-effective and reliable launch capabilities on a global platform, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for international space missions.
2. Scientific Advancement:
   • Indian solar physicists, involved in defining the mission’s scientific objectives, will gain exclusive access to Proba-3 data for research on solar physics and space weather.
3. Synergy with Aditya L1:
   • The mission will complement India’s first solar mission, Aditya L1, by allowing collaborative research between ISRO and ESA.
   • The data from both missions will enhance global understanding of the Sun’s behavior and its impact on Earth’s environment.