Proba-3 mission would significantly advance understanding of Sun’s Corona: Ex-ISRO scientist

Chennai, Dec 9: ISRO’s successful launch of European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 satellites onboard PSLV-C59 rocket is a ‘groundbreaking mission’ and would significantly advance the understanding of Sun’s corona and solar wind, a former ISRO scientist said.

According to P V Venkitakrishnan, former director of Capacity Building Programme Office, ISRO headquarters, the ‘innovative design and advanced technologies’ used in the mission would pave the way for future space weather forecasting and solar physics research.

“This mission is a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation. Proba-3 is a pioneering mission designed to explore the Sun’s corona, the outer atmosphere of the Sun”, he told PTI.

It aims to study the Corona, which is hotter than the Sun’s surface, and explore the solar wind which is a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun, Venkitakrishnan said.

“The data from Proba-3 satellites would help scientists better understand and predict space weather events, which can impact the Earth’s magnetic field and satellite operations.”

He noted that the two satellites — Coronagraph and Occulter– would form a ‘precise formation 150 meters apart after several orbital manoeuvres in the coming days.

The instrument in the Coronagraph spacecraft would capture high-resolution images of the Sun’s corona. This setup will mimic a total solar eclipse which traditionally lasts only for a few minutes and does not occur frequently.

Proba 3 will provide 6 continuous hours of observation during each orbit, equivalent to about 50 natural solar eclipses annually.

“The Proba-3 features an advanced propulsion system, enabling precise control and maneuvering of the spacecraft and is made by ESA.

With the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency providing the launch vehicle for the latest mission, Venkitakrishnan said the ESA collaborated with ISRO as it currently lacks an active launch vehicle to carry its payloads to orbit.

“This shows the success of our space diplomacy and our capacity to provide reliable and cost effective launches to our customers,” he said.

ISRO had on Thursday successfully launched the Proba-3 mission onboard a PSLV-C59 rocket, a solar experiment undertaken by the European Space Agency. (PTI)

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Delhi’s Rashmika Sahgal wins pistol triple crown at KSSM

New Delhi/Bhopal, Apr 26: Delhi teenager Rashmika Sahgal won...

SRH all but end CSK’s chances with five-wicket win

Chennai, Apr 26: Pacer Harshal Patel made the best...

Bihar Police arrests 2024 NEET paper leak case mastermind from Patna

Patna, Apr 26: The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of...

Govt revokes 14 categories of visas given to Pakistani nationals

New Delhi, Apr 26: The government revoked 14 categories...

Thai police plane crashes in sea, killing all 6 on board

Bangkok, Apr 26: A small police plane crashed into...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img