The launch of the European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission, initially set for today, has been rescheduled to tomorrow at 16:12 IST, according to a statement from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on its official X account. The delay was caused by an anomaly detected in the spacecraft.  

Proba-3, a mission designed to study the Sun’s corona using precision formation flying, will now lift off from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL). Known for its reliability, the PSLV was previously scheduled to launch at 11:38 CET (10:38 GMT, 16:08 IST). The launch will be streamed live on ISRO’s YouTube channel and ESA’s Web TV.  

This mission marks a milestone in ESA-ISRO cooperation, being their first joint project since the Proba-1 Earth observation mission in 2001. Utilizing ISRO’s cost-effective and dependable PSLV platform, Proba-3 will be placed in a highly elliptical orbit extending over 60,000 kilometers from Earth.  

Proba-3 features two spacecraft flying in tight formation, separated by just 150 meters. One spacecraft, the ‘Occulter,’ will block sunlight to create an artificial eclipse, while the other, the ‘Coronagraph,’ will capture detailed images of the Sun’s corona. This configuration will enable continuous observation of the corona for six hours during each 19-hour orbit, providing unprecedented insights into the Sun’s outermost layers.  

India’s involvement in this mission highlights its growing prominence in the global space community. The PSLV-XL was selected for its precision and cost-efficiency, aligning with the mission’s budget constraints.  

For ESA, Proba-3 serves as a critical demonstration of precision formation flying, a technology essential for future satellite constellations and multi-unit spacecraft.  

This collaboration exemplifies how international partnerships can drive scientific discovery and technological innovation, expanding the frontiers of space exploration. It also underscores India’s reputation as a reliable partner for cutting-edge missions, emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in advancing human knowledge.  

Proba-3 is poised not only to reveal new insights about the Sun but also to pave the way for future advancements in space technology.