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Proba-3 Occulter spacecraftProba-3 complete: Formation-flying satellites fully integrated
ESA / Enabling & Support / Space Engineering & Technology / Proba Missions
The two spacecraft forming ESA’s Proba-3 mission for precise formation flying in orbit are now complete. All the instruments and sensors allowing them to manoeuvre to millimetre scale precision relative to one another have been integrated aboard, and the pair are fully wrapped in multi-layer insulation – ready to be tested in simulated space conditions.
Proba-3Proba-3
The pair are currently facing each other across a cleanroom belonging to Redwire Space (formerly QinetiQ Space) in Kruibeke, Belgium, in the same configuration they will adopt in orbit.
To mark the occasion of their integration, the Proba-3 project invited members of ESA’s Belgian and Spanish delegations to visit the facility.
Proba-3 Occulter spacecraftProba-3 Occulter spacecraft
ESA’s Proba-3 mission manager Damien Galano explains: “Proba-3 has contributions from across Europe, but its main coronagraph instrument comes from Belgium’s Centre Spatial de Liège, CSL, and its satellites have been integrated here at Redwire Space. The satellite platforms meanwhile were designed by Airbus Defence and Space in Spain while Spain’s SENER company serves as prime contractor. So these two countries are very much in the lead for the mission, and this visit gave a chance for their delegations to see this milestone for themselves.”
Proba-3 Coronagraph spacecraftProba-3 Coronagraph spacecraft
Also present were representatives from the Proba-3 science team and ESA’s Science Directorate. While Proba-3 is a technology-testing mission, its main payload is a science instrument focused on the Sun which will produce unique data.
During the observation phase of their orbits, the pair will form a straight line in space with the Sun exactly 144 m from each other so that the ‘Occulter’ spacecraft – equipped with a round disk – will cast a shadow onto the second ‘Coronagraph’ spacecraft.
By doing so the Occulter will block out the brilliant solar disk to allow the Coronagraph to image the wispy outer atmosphere of the Sun, known as its corona, for up to six hours at a time.
Proba-3's pair of satellitesProba-3's pair of satellites
On Earth the corona is visible only for a few moments during rare solar eclipses, but the availability of sustained observation should address many mysteries of the solar corona – including why it is a million degrees C hotter than the surface of the Sun that it radiates from.
Jorg Versluys, payload system engineer, adds: ‘Ground and space observatories often incorporate Sun-blocking coronagraphs – the ESA-NASA SOHO spacecraft is one famous example – but their effectiveness is limited by light spilling around disk edges, a phenomenon called diffraction. By hosting our coronagraph on a separate spacecraft we reduce diffraction and increase overall visibility of the Sun’s surroundings. And looking closely at the Occulter’s edge shows that it has been precisely curved to reduce diffraction effects still further.”
Wrapping Proba-3's Coronagraph spacecraft in multi-layer insulationWrapping Proba-3's Coronagraph spacecraft in multi-layer insulation
Sustained observations will only be made possible by the spacecraft entering formation for a prolonged period of time, enabled in turn by an onboard suite of guidance and control methods, including satellite navigation receivers, radio inter-satellite links, lasers and optical cameras.
Damien notes: “The latter will be guided by light emitting displays placed on the face of both spacecraft for the other to see. In fact one of the reasons the spacecraft’s multi-layer insulation is black is to ensure maximum contrast with the onboard LEDs so the cameras can observe them clearly.”
The satellite pair will fly on a highly elongated (or ‘elliptical’) 19 and a half hour orbit that will see them venture a maximum 6 0530 km away from Earth – performing observations at the top of each orbit to minimise gravitational and illumination effects from our planet. For the rest of their orbit they will be free flying with respect to each other.
Next month the spacecraft will be shipped to IABG in Germany for the start of a four-month environmental test campaign, simulating every aspect of the launch and space environments. Proba-3 is due to be flown by PSLV launcher from India next year.
Proba-3 fact sheetProba-3 fact sheet
 

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Japan's private Hakuto-R lunar lander is attempting a soft landing with UAE Rashid lunar rover today
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skywatcher

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The most desired deep space robotic missions
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1.Uranus orbiter

If launched in 2031(chance approaches to 0), it will reach Uranus before 2045 or you won't see it in your lifetime.
2.Neptune orbiter
If launched in 2031(impossible task), it will reach Neptune before 2050 or you won't see it in your lifetime.
3.Mars sample return
High scientific value. But do not expect any evidence of life
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4.Europa lander/submarine
Search for possible forms of life
5.Enceladus lander/submarine
Search for possible forms of life
6.Titan lander/Helicopter
High scientific value. But do not expect any evidence of life
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skywatcher

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Lunar landings in coming months! What a feast!
?? June 2023 IM-1 Falcon 9 Lunar lander & Moon Mark rovers & UK Spacebit Lunar rover
?? June 2023 ISRO LVM III Chandrayaan-3 Lunar lander & Lunar rover
13 July 2023 Roscosmos Soyuz Luna-25 lunar lander
?? July 2023 Mission One Vulcan Peregrine lunar lander & Mexico Comelna rovers & Iris rover
?? Aug 2023 JAXA H-IIA SLIM Lunar lander & LEV-1/2 lunar rovers
?? Dec 2023 IM-2 Falcon 9 lots of rovers
 
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skywatcher

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Lunar landings in coming months! What a feast!
?? June 2023 IM-1 Falcon 9 Lunar lander & Moon Mark rovers & UK Spacebit Lunar rover
?? June 2023 ISRO LVM III Chandrayaan-3 Lunar lander & Lunar rover
13 July 2023 Roscosmos Soyuz Luna-25 lunar lander
?? July 2023 Mission One Vulcan Peregrine lunar lander & Mexico Comelna rovers & Iris rover
?? Aug 2023 JAXA H-IIA SLIM Lunar lander & LEV-1/2 lunar rovers
?? Dec 2023 IM-2 Falcon 9 lots of rovers
50+ lunar orbiters & constellation & landers & rovers & hoppers & human & other stuff will be launched to the Moon in the next couple of years. kinda surreal
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