Date Posted: 2024-12-05 23:16:12 | Video Duration: 01:32:41
The anticipation in the air was palpable as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepared for the launch of the PSLV-C59 mission, carrying the European Space Agency’s PROBA-3 project. This mission, a significant milestone for New Space India Limited (NSIL), aimed to deploy the PROBA-3 spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit, marking a new chapter in international space collaboration and technological advancement.
Launch Details and Objectives
Broadcasting live from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, the launch was scheduled for December 5, 2024, at 16:04 Indian Standard Time. The PSLV-XL variant of the workhorse rocket was employed for this mission. The primary objective was to place the PROBA-3 spacecraft, weighing 545.82 kilograms, into an orbit with an apogee of 6,530 kilometers and a perigee of 600 kilometers, inclined at 59 degrees. This mission was designed to facilitate the European Space Agency’s exploration of the Sun’s corona and further space study.
Technical Execution and Integration
The live integration footage showcased the meticulous assembly of the PSLV-C59 rocket. The integration involved the careful hoisting and placement of various segments onto the mobile launch pedestal. The PSLV rocket comprises five segments, each weighing approximately 30 tons. The integration highlighted the precision engineering involved in preparing the rocket for launch.
Mission Significance and Payload
PROBA-3, the fourth installment in a series of missions by the European Space Agency, aims to explore the Sun’s corona using two satellites: the Altar and the Coronagraph. These satellites, launched in a stacked configuration, are designed to operate in formation, maintaining a precise distance to facilitate solar observation. This mission’s unique design will enable continuous views of the Sun’s corona, which Earth-based observers typically witness only during solar eclipses.
Scientific Instruments and Goals
The PROBA-3 mission carries crucial instruments like the coronagraph, absolute radiometer, and energy electron spectrometer, designed to study solar radiation and space weather. The coronagraph will provide clear images of the Sun’s outer atmosphere, while the radiometer measures total solar irradiance, essential for climate science. The electron spectrometer will measure electron flux, contributing valuable data for space weather studies and astronaut safety.
Launch Process and Confirmation
As the countdown approached T-0, all participating systems confirmed readiness, leading to the successful ignition of the PSLV-C59’s core and strap-on motors. The rocket’s stages fired sequentially, propelling the spacecraft to its designated orbit. The live commentary detailed each phase, from ignition to stage separation, culminating in the successful deployment of the PROBA-3 satellites.
Mission Success and Future Outlook
The mission director and ISRO chairman, Dr. S. Somanath, acknowledged the successful deployment, congratulating the teams involved. The launch marked the 61st flight of the PSLV and was celebrated as a testament to international collaboration and technological prowess. Looking ahead, ISRO and NSIL expressed enthusiasm for future missions, underscoring their commitment to advancing space exploration and supporting scientific endeavors.
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