> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.upscprep.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Proba-3: European Solar Mission - URL: https://www.upscprep.com/proba-3-european-solar-mission/ - Published: 2024-11-26T16:38:15.000Z - Updated: 2024-11-26T16:38:15.000Z - Description: GS3 Science & Technology | GS2 International Relations | GS1 Geography - Author: UPSCprep.com - Tags: Current Affairs, S&T, #show-toc ## **UPSC Relevance** - **GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology):** - Space technology advancements, international collaborations, and their applications for scientific research. - **GS Paper 2 (International Relations):** - India’s growing role in global space partnerships and soft power diplomacy through ISRO’s achievements. - **GS Paper 1 (Geography):** - Understanding space weather phenomena and their impacts on Earth. ## News Article ![Proba-3: European Solar Mission | ISRO | UPSC | Source: The Indian Express](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-23-1.png) ### **Proba-3 Mission** - **Launch Details:** - Proba-3, a European Space Agency (ESA) solar mission, will be launched by ISRO's PSLV rocket on December 4 from Sriharikota. - The mission is part of ESA's Proba (Project for Onboard Autonomy) series. Previous missions include Proba-1 (2001) and Proba-2 (2009), also launched by ISRO. ![Proba-3, a European Space Agency (ESA) solar mission, will be launched by ISRO's PSLV rocket on December 4 from Sriharikota.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-24.png) - **Unique Aspect:** - Proba-3 will pioneer "precision formation flying," where two satellites will fly in tandem, maintaining a fixed configuration in space. - Estimated cost: €200 million. - Mission life: Two years. - Orbit: Highly elliptical (600 x 60,530 km) with a period of 19.7 hours. --- ### **Mission Objectives** **Core Study:** - Study the **solar corona**, the Sun’s outermost and hottest layer, crucial for understanding space weather. - Solar phenomena like solar storms and solar winds originate from the corona and can affect satellite communications, navigation, and power grids on Earth. **Scientific Instruments:** 1. **ASPIICS (Coronagraph):** - Observes the Sun’s inner and outer corona, typically visible during solar eclipses. - Equipped with a 1.4-meter occulting disk to block direct sunlight and reveal corona details. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-27.png) 1. **DARA (Digital Absolute Radiometer):** - Measures the Sun’s total energy output (total solar irradiance). 1. **3DEES (3D Energetic Electron Spectrometer):** - Measures electron fluxes in Earth's radiation belts, aiding space weather studies. --- ### **Uniqueness of Proba-3** - **Artificial Solar Eclipse:** - Two satellites — Occulter Spacecraft (200 kg) and Coronagraph Spacecraft (340 kg) — mimic a natural solar eclipse. - The Occulter creates a shadow for the Coronagraph, enabling extended corona observations. - Observations equivalent to 50 solar eclipses annually, with six hours of continuous corona visibility. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-26.png) - **Precision Formation:** - Satellites maintain a precise separation of 150 meters in Earth’s orbit. - Autonomous formation flight ensures stability, allowing the Occulter to block the Sun’s bright light and facilitate corona imaging. --- ### **Significance for India** - **Showcasing ISRO’s Capabilities:** - Demonstrates India's reliability in cost-effective and precise satellite launches. - Highlights ISRO’s growing reputation as a global space partner. ![Proba-3, a European Space Agency (ESA) solar mission, will be launched by ISRO's PSLV rocket on December 4 from Sriharikota.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-25.png) - **Scientific Collaboration:** - Indian solar physicists have contributed to conceptualizing the mission's scientific goals alongside Belgian researchers. - Potential exclusive access to Proba-3 data for Indian researchers. - **Synergy with Aditya-L1:** - India’s Aditya-L1 mission (2023) aims to study the Sun’s corona and other solar phenomena. - Collaborative research using Proba-3 and Aditya-L1 data could advance scientific understanding of the Sun and space weather. --- ### **Expected Benefits** 1. **Scientific Advancements:** - Detailed study of the Sun’s corona will enhance understanding of space weather phenomena and their impact on Earth. - New insights into solar storms and winds will contribute to the protection of satellite and communication infrastructure. 2. **Technological Innovations:** - First-ever precision formation flying will showcase advancements in satellite coordination and control. 3. **International Collaboration:** - Strengthens India’s partnership with ESA and provides an opportunity for Indian scientists to collaborate on cutting-edge solar research. 4. **Boost to Domestic Space Science:** - Access to advanced data will help Indian researchers develop expertise in solar physics and space weather modeling. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/06/1.-UPSCprep-Banner-24.png) [Join Now](https://courses.upscprep.com/products?ref=upscprep.com) --- ## List of Solar Probes and Missions launched by space agencies worldwide ### **1\. NASA (United States)** 1. **Pioneer Missions (1958–1978)** - Early missions (Pioneer 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) to study solar winds and the interplanetary magnetic field. 1. **Helios Missions (1974 & 1976)** - Joint NASA-German Aerospace Center (DLR) missions. - **Focus**: Studied the solar wind and magnetic field near the Sun. 1. **Ulysses (1990)** - Joint NASA-ESA mission. - **Objective**: Study the Sun’s polar regions and solar wind. 1. **SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, 1995)** - Joint NASA-ESA mission. - **Goal**: Study the Sun’s interior, corona, and solar winds. 1. **STEREO (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory, 2006)** - Two spacecraft providing a 3D view of the Sun. - **Focus**: Solar eruptions and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). 1. **Parker Solar Probe (2018)** - Closest spacecraft to the Sun (approx. 6.9 million km from the surface). - **Goal**: Study the corona, solar wind, and solar magnetic fields. - **Launch Date:** August 12, 2018 - **Key Features:** - The closest spacecraft to the Sun, with perihelion distances of about **6.9 million km** from the Sun’s surface. - Studying the Sun’s corona, solar wind, and magnetic fields. - First spacecraft to directly touch the solar corona. - **Significance:** Provides unprecedented insights into solar activity, helping to predict space weather more effectively. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-30.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-31.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-32.png) 1. **IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe, 2025 - Planned)** - Designed to study the boundary of the heliosphere and the Sun’s influence on interstellar space. --- ### **2\. European Space Agency (ESA)** 1. **SOHO (1995)**: Collaboration with NASA (detailed above). 2. **Solar Orbiter (2020)** - **Goal**: Study the Sun’s poles and inner heliosphere. - **Features**: Provides high-resolution imaging of the Sun. - **Launch Date:** February 10, 2020 - **Key Features:**Studying the Sun’s **poles and inner heliosphere**.Carries high-resolution imaging instruments to observe solar wind, magnetic fields, and solar flares.Orbit allows close encounters with the Sun (as close as 42 million km). - **Significance:** Offers detailed data on the Sun’s magnetic field and solar wind dynamics. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-33.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-34.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-35.png) 1. **Proba-3 (2024 - Planned) - Discussed in the news above** - First mission to achieve "precision formation flying." - **Focus**: Study the solar corona and space weather. --- ### **3\. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO, India)** **Aditya-L1 (2023)** - First Indian mission to study the Sun. - **Objective**: Observe the solar corona, chromosphere, and photosphere. - **Payload**: Includes coronagraph and instruments to measure solar wind. - **Launch Date:** September 2, 2023 - **Key Features:**India’s first solar mission designed to study the **Sun’s corona, photosphere, chromosphere**, and solar wind.Positioned at the **Lagrange Point 1 (L1)**, about 1.5 million km from Earth.Equipped with instruments like the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) and Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT). - **Significance:** Aims to improve our understanding of solar activity and its effects on the Earth’s magnetosphere. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-29.png) ![Aditya-L1 (2023) | ISRO | UPSC](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-28.png) --- ### **4\. Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos)** **Interhelioprobe (Planned for late 2020s)** - **Goal**: Study solar magnetic activity, solar wind, and the heliosphere. --- ### **5\. Japanese Space Agency (JAXA)** **Hinode (Solar-B, 2006)** - Collaboration with NASA. - **Focus**: Study the Sun’s magnetic fields, corona, and solar wind. --- ### **6\. Chinese Space Agency (CNSA)** 1. **ASO-S (Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory, 2022)** - China's first dedicated solar observatory. - **Focus**: Study solar magnetic fields, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections. - **Launch Date:** October 9, 2022 - **Key Features:** - First dedicated Chinese solar observatory. - Studies **solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs)**, and magnetic fields. - Equipped with three key instruments: Lyman-alpha Solar Telescope, Full-disk Vector Magnetograph, and the Hard X-ray Imager. - **Significance:** Helps monitor space weather and its impact on Earth. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/11/image-36.png) 1. **CLASP Missions (Planned)** - Collaborating with international agencies for advanced solar studies. --- ### **7\. Korean Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI)** **KASISAT 1 (Planned for 2020s)** - **Goal**: Dedicated to studying the Sun and its influence on the Earth's magnetosphere. --- ### **8\. Heliospheric Missions (Collaborations)** 1. **BepiColombo (ESA-JAXA, 2018)** - Primarily for Mercury exploration but carries instruments to study the solar wind. 1. **Voyager Missions (NASA, 1977)** - Although interstellar probes, they study the boundary of the Sun's heliosphere. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-10-at-7.03.14-AM.png) #### Sociology Comprehensive Course with Mentorship Test Series included [Know More](https://courses.upscprep.com/products/sociology-comprehensive-course-with-mentorship-test-series-included-ytjynuhdcnmg/?ref=upscprep.com)