Watch the Launch

Additional Media

About Proba-3

Proba-3 is ESA’s – and the world’s – first precision formation flying mission. A pair of satellites will fly together maintaining a fixed configuration as a ‘large rigid structure’ in space to prove formation flying technologies and rendezvous experiments.

Proba-3

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Elliptical Orbit
Mission: Technology

Elliptical Orbit Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India

Proba-3 (Project for On-Board Autonomy 3) is the first close formation flying mission for the European Space Agency (ESA). It consists of two independent, three-axis stabilised spacecraft flying 150 meters from one another with the ability to accurately control the attitude and separation of the two craft. Such formation flying will be maintained for 6 hours, creating ″artificial solar eclipse″ for the satellite below. The spacecraft pair will fly a highly elliptical orbit divided between periods of accurate formation flying around apogee, when payload operations will be possible, and periods of free flight.

Updates

Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 5, 2024, 11 a.m.

Spacecrafts now in contact.


Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 5, 2024, 10:54 a.m.

Spacecraft separation.


Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 5, 2024, 10:34 a.m.

Liftoff.


LL2 • Dec. 5, 2024, 10:11 a.m.

Official Webcast by ISRO Official has started


Cosmic_Penguin • Dec. 4, 2024, 1:17 p.m.

Tweaked new launch time.


PSLV-XL

Family:
Configuration: XL

PSLV-XL is the upgraded version of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in its standard configuration boosted by more powerful, stretched strap-on boosters with 12 tonne propellant load. Weighing 320t at lift-off, the vehicle uses larger strap-on motors (PSOM-XL or S12) to achieve higher payload capability. On 29 December 2005, ISRO successfully tested the improved version of strap-on booster for the PSLV. The first use of PSLV-XL was the launch of Chandrayaan-1 by PSLV C11. The payload capability for this variant is 1,800 kg to SSO.

Specifications
  • Stages
    4
  • Length
    44.0 m
  • Diameter
    2.8 m
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
    320.0 T
  • Thrust
Family
  • Name
    PSLV-XL
  • Family
  • Variant
    XL
  • Alias
  • Full Name
    PSLV XL
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    1800.0 kg

Indian Space Research Organization

Indian Space Research Organization

(ISRO)

Chairman: V. Narayanan Founded: 1969 Successes: 81 Failures: 13 Pending: 17

Agency Type:

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the space agency of the Government of India headquartered in the city of Bangalore. Its vision is to "harness space technology for national development while pursuing space science research and planetary exploration."

INFO WIKI

Related News

ESA

Proba-3's first autonomous formation flight

Two spacecraft flying as one – that is the goal of European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission. Earlier this week, the eclipse-maker moved a step closer to achieving that goal, as both spacecraft aligned with the Sun, maintaining their relativ…

ESA

First autonomous formation flight of double satellite Proba-3

Two spacecraft flying as one – that is the goal of European Space Agency’s Proba-3 mission. Earlier this week, the eclipse-maker moved a step closer to achieving that goal, as both spacecraft aligned with the Sun, maintaining their relativ…

ESA

Close-up of Proba-3’s Coronagraph, ready to dance

From the ESA Blogs.

ESA

Proba-3 becomes two: satellites separated

Last night a crucial step in the European Space Agency’s eclipse-making Proba-3 mission was completed: the two spacecraft, flying jointly since launch, have successfully separated. This leaves them ready to begin their cosmic dance in the …

ESA

Growing a business: from apps to software for space on Proba-3

A key element of ESA’s role as Europe’s space agency is the expansion of space knowhow, by encouraging new actors into the field. Case in point: a Polish software company previously specialising in smartphone apps took on the challenge of …

Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India

Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad


Falcon 9
Success
5 hours, 6 minutes ago
Starlink Group 6-72
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Falcon 9
Success
2 days, 7 hours ago
Starlink Group 11-13
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 6
Success
3 days, 6 hours ago
Tianping-3A-02
Launch Complex 16 - Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Satellite be used as calibration target for ground based orbital objects surveillance services such as atmospheric space environment study and orbita…


Long March 2D
Success
5 days, 4 hours ago
4 x SatNet test satellites
Launch Area 4 (SLS-2 / 603) - Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Officially described as "Satellite-Internet Technology Demonstration Satellites". Probable 4 test satellites for the Chinese state-owned LEO communic…


Falcon 9
Success
5 days, 6 hours ago
Fram2
Launch Complex 39A - Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Fram2 is the world’s first astronaut mission to polar orbit. Named after the Norwegian polar research ship Fram, the Crew Dragon spacecraft will laun…


Falcon 9
Success
5 days, 12 hours ago
Starlink Group 6-80
Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

A batch of 28 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Spectrum
Failure
6 days, 21 hours ago
Maiden Flight
Orbital Launch Pad - Andøya Spaceport

First flight of the Isar Spectrum launch vehicle.


Long March 7A
Success
1 week ago
TJSW-16
201 - Wenchang Space Launch Site, People's Republic of China

Chinese classified satellite claimed to be for communication technology test purposes. Actual mission not known.


Falcon 9
Success
1 week, 3 days ago
Starlink Group 11-7
Space Launch Complex 4E - Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

A batch of 27 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation - SpaceX's project for space-based Internet communication system.


Long March 3
Success
1 week, 3 days ago
Tianlian 2-04
Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) - Xichang Satellite Launch Center, People's Republic of China

Tianlian is a Chinese data tracking and relay communications geostationary satellite series. The TL 2 (Tian Lian 2) satellites represent the second g…