European satellite launched to study the Sun

A reporter in New Delhi quoted the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) as saying that the country successfully launched a satellite of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Proba-3 mission on December 5.

The launch was carried out from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Sriharikota Island in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Proba-3 consists of two satellites: Coronagraph (310kg) and Occulter (240kg). (Source: NASA).

Previously, on December 4, just before take-off, ISRO had to postpone the launch at the request of ESA, due to an abnormality detected in the satellite's propulsion system. The mission was launched using the PSLV-C59 rocket , with a total payload of about 320 tons.

This is India's first liquid-fuelled rocket which has been used since 1994 to launch satellites and various other payloads into space.

The rocket will deliver the satellites of the Proba-3 mission into an elliptical orbit, with the highest point reaching 60,000km, before descending to just 600km above Earth.

This special orbit allows two satellites to operate and fly in formation in space for 6 hours, thereby reducing the impact of gravity and saving fuel for position correction.

Proba-3 consists of two satellites: Coronagraph (310kg) and Occulter (240kg). The two spacecraft will fly in parallel, maintaining a precise formation to study the corona, the outer atmosphere of the Sun.

According to ESA, the corona is much hotter than the surface of the Sun and is the birthplace of solar storms, an area of ​​research of great scientific and practical importance.

Proba-3 is an international mission with contributions from 14 countries, with Belgium providing the largest financial contribution. Many Belgian companies and scientists are also involved in the mission. Scientists hope that Proba-3 will be successful and be an important milestone in the exploration and understanding of the universe.