Background:
- ISRO had initially scheduled the PROBA-3 mission for 4:08 p.m. on December 4, 2024.
- An anomaly in the spacecraft’s propulsion system led to the rescheduling of the launch to the following day.
Relevance: GS 3 ( Space)
Mission Details:
- PSLV-C59 rocket (44.5 meters) to carry the European Space Agency’s (ESA) PROBA-3 satellites.
- Mission aims to place 550-kg PROBA-3 satellites into a highly elliptical orbit.
- 61st flight of PSLV, 26th using the PSLV-XL configuration.
Mission Objective:
- Study the Sun’s corona using two satellites in formation that block the solar disk, enabling detailed observation.
Significance:
- Collaborative mission between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and the ESA, supported by ISRO’s expertise
