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About Proba-3

Proba-3 is ESA’s – and the world’s – first precision formation flying mission. A pair of satellites will fly together maintaining a fixed configuration as a ‘large rigid structure’ in space to prove formation flying technologies and rendezvous experiments.

Proba-3

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Elliptical Orbit
Mission: Technology

Elliptical Orbit Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India

Proba-3 (Project for On-Board Autonomy 3) is the first close formation flying mission for the European Space Agency (ESA). It consists of two independent, three-axis stabilised spacecraft flying 150 meters from one another with the ability to accurately control the attitude and separation of the two craft. Such formation flying will be maintained for 6 hours, creating ″artificial solar eclipse″ for the satellite below. The spacecraft pair will fly a highly elliptical orbit divided between periods of accurate formation flying around apogee, when payload operations will be possible, and periods of free flight.

Updates

Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 5, 2024, 11 a.m.

Spacecrafts now in contact.


Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 5, 2024, 10:54 a.m.

Spacecraft separation.


Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 5, 2024, 10:34 a.m.

Liftoff.


LL2 • Dec. 5, 2024, 10:11 a.m.

Official Webcast by ISRO Official has started


Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 4, 2024, 1:17 p.m.

Tweaked new launch time.


PSLV-XL

Family:
Configuration: XL

PSLV-XL is the upgraded version of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in its standard configuration boosted by more powerful, stretched strap-on boosters with 12 tonne propellant load. Weighing 320t at lift-off, the vehicle uses larger strap-on motors (PSOM-XL or S12) to achieve higher payload capability. On 29 December 2005, ISRO successfully tested the improved version of strap-on booster for the PSLV. The first use of PSLV-XL was the launch of Chandrayaan-1 by PSLV C11. The payload capability for this variant is 1,800 kg to SSO.

Specifications
  • Stages
    4
  • Length
    44.0 m
  • Diameter
    2.8 m
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
    320.0 T
  • Thrust
Family
  • Name
    PSLV-XL
  • Family
  • Variant
    XL
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    PSLV XL
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    1800.0 kg

Indian Space Research Organization

Indian Space Research Organization

(ISRO)

Chairman: V. Narayanan Founded: 1969 Successes: 81 Failures: 13 Pending: 19

Agency Type:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of the Government of India headquartered in the city of Bangalore. Its vision is to "harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration."

INFO WIKI

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Proba-3's first autonomous formation flight

Two spacecraft flying as one – that is the goal of European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission. Earlier this week, the eclipse-maker moved a step closer to achieving that goal, as both spacecraft aligned with the Sun, maintaining their relativ…

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First autonomous formation flight of double satellite Proba-3

Two spacecraft flying as one – that is the goal of European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission. Earlier this week, the eclipse-maker moved a step closer to achieving that goal, as both spacecraft aligned with the Sun, maintaining their relativ…

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Close-up of Proba-3’s Coronagraph, ready to dance

From the ESA Blogs.

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Proba-3 becomes two: satellites separated

Last night a crucial step in the European Space Agency’s eclipse-making Proba-3 mission was completed: the two spacecraft, flying jointly since launch, have successfully separated. This leaves them ready to begin their cosmic dance in the …

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