On December 5, 2024, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved another milestone with the successful launch of the PSLV-C59 mission. The launch took place at 4:04 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, following a one-day delay caused by an anomaly. Carrying the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 satellites, the mission met all its objectives with precision, as confirmed by ISRO Chairman S. Somanath.
Mission Overview and Objectives:
The PSLV-C59 mission is a collaboration between ISRO and ESA, demonstrating advanced capabilities in satellite deployment and precision in-orbit operations. The Proba-3 mission, part of ESA’s in-orbit demonstration program, involves two spacecraft designed for precise formation flying. This ambitious mission aims to:
1.Achieve formation flying control with precision down to a single millimeter.
2.Create artificial solar eclipses in orbit to enable extended observations of the Sun’s corona, a region critical to understanding solar activity and its impact on space weather.
The satellites were successfully deployed into their designated orbit, and shortly after separation, signals from the spacecraft were received by the Yatharagga ground station in Australia. Telemetry data is now being processed at ESA’s mission control center in Redu, Belgium. ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher hailed the successful liftoff as a “significant step” in achieving the mission’s scientific goals.
Operational Plans for Proba-3:
The Proba-3 mission’s two satellites were stacked during the launch and will remain connected during their initial commissioning phase. According to ESA’s Proba-3 mission manager Damien Galano, the operational phase is slated to begin in early 2025.
Key Activities During the Operational Phase:
•Individual Satellite Check-Outs: Verifying the functionality of each satellite post-deployment.
•Formation Flying: Coordinated manoeuvres by the twin spacecraft to study the Sun’s corona in detail.
•Scientific Observations: Extended monitoring of solar activity, made possible by creating artificial eclipses.
PSLV-C59: A Testament to ISRO’s Reliability
The PSLV-C59 mission marks:
•The 61st flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
•The 26th mission using the PSLV-XL configuration, known for its enhanced capability to carry heavier payloads.
ISRO’s PSLV has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most reliable medium-lift launch vehicles. The success of PSLV-C59 underscores its dependability, reinforcing ISRO’s position as a preferred partner for international satellite launches.
The successful deployment of ESA’s Proba-3 satellites highlights ISRO’s growing role in international space collaborations. The mission:
1.Advances scientific research by enabling detailed studies of the Sun’s corona, which is vital for understanding solar storms and their impact on Earth.
2.Showcases ISRO’s technological prowess in precision satellite deployment and its ability to meet the stringent requirements of global space agencies.
The PSLV-C59 mission is another feather in ISRO’s cap, demonstrating its expertise in launching complex international payloads. For ESA, the mission represents a step forward in advancing space science through innovative satellite operations.
As the Proba-3 satellites transition into their operational phase in 2025, the world eagerly anticipates the groundbreaking solar observations that will emerge from this collaboration between ISRO and ESA. This mission not only strengthens ISRO’s reputation but also underscores the importance of international partnerships in pushing the boundaries of space exploration.