La Proba-3 mission is one of the most interesting and promising projects of the European Space Agency (ESA). This ambitious project seeks to revolutionize the study of the Sun by creating artificial solar eclipses, using two satellites that will fly in formation at a distance of 150 meters from each other, one called Hide and the other CoronagraphThe first will block light from the Sun, while the second will be able to capture detailed images of the solar corona, the Sun's outermost layer, completely free from interference from the Earth's atmosphere. Want to learn how to safely observe a solar eclipse?
The mission, led by the Spanish company SENER, has the coordination and collaboration of other important companies in Spain, such as GMV y Airbus SpainIn fact, 40% of the total €200 million budget was financed by Spain, reflecting its deep involvement in the development of advanced space technologies.
The study of the solar corona
The solar corona is one of the least understood areas of our star. Despite being immensely hot, with temperatures reaching millions of degrees, relatively little is known about the mechanisms that heat it or how such powerful phenomena as solar flares originate. Coronal Mass Ejections (CME), which could have devastating effects on Earth's communications and navigation systems. Do you want to understand what solar maximum is and its impact?
The use of Coronagraph, placed in an orbit more than 60.000 kilometers from Earth, and protected by the Hide, will allow scientists to observe the corona without the limitations of the Earth's atmosphere, opening the door to new answers and scientific discoveries. This autonomous method of formation flight promises to achieve millimeter precision, making it unique worldwide. The next total eclipse in Spain in 2026. Is it on your calendar?
Formation Flight Technology
Proba-3 is not just a solar observation mission. It also seeks Validate formation flight technologies, a key advance for future space missions that require precise synchronization of multiple satellites. In Proba-3, both satellites will operate autonomously, constantly calculating their position and movement relative to each other. This spatial coordination capability has been managed by companies such as GMV, which has developed the Formation Flight Subsystem (FFS), responsible for ensuring that both ships remain perfectly aligned during the mission.
This technological milestone opens the door to a new type of scientific mission that could use multiple satellites to act as a single observation instrument. In addition to studying the Sun, this advancement could be applied to space telescopes and high-precision astronomy missions, and even for in-orbit servicing missions. You can also consult resources on astronomical binoculars to improve your celestial observations and complement solar observation with suitable instruments.
Spain's key role
One of the highlights of Proba-3 is the participation of the Spanish industry, which has played a fundamental role in every step of the development of the mission. The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities has been key in providing funds to allow companies such as SENER, Airbus Defense & Space Spain, GMV y Deimos participate actively.
Furthermore, Proba-3 It represents a model of international collaboration between more than 16 countries and nearly 40 companies, reflecting the ability of European and, especially, Spanish teams to lead cutting-edge projects in space. For a deeper understanding of the mission, see also The constellations visible in autumn in the northern hemisphere.
A future full of possibilities
El Proba-3 takeoff The launch is scheduled for December 2024 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India. Although the planned mission duration is 18 months, the technology developed and tested on this mission is expected to be instrumental in future projects. Check the dates of the next eclipses in 2024
Advances in formation flying, autonomous navigation and solar observation will lay the foundation for even more complex and ambitious missions. The possibility of creating modular space structures and functional with the autonomous coordination of multiple satellites promises to transform the future of space exploration. With Proba-3, we are not only closer to better understanding our Sun, but also to rethinking the way we design and operate high-precision space instruments.
