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My Article published on the EurasianTimes Website on 08 Dec 24
On 05 Dec 24, India’s PSLV-C59 successfully launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission. This marked a significant milestone in international space collaboration. The Proba-3 mission consists of two satellites, the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC), deployed into a highly elliptical orbit. Proba-3 is designed to demonstrate precision formation flying, with the two satellites maintaining a separation of about 150 meters with millimeter accuracy. Together, they will create an artificial solar eclipse, a unique event in space science, to study the Sun’s corona for extended periods—far exceeding the brief duration of natural eclipses. This is expected to advance understanding of phenomena such as the Sun’s corona’s high temperatures and the acceleration of the solar wind. The mission was managed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), with the launch conducted from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. It demonstrates the growing role of India’s space program in facilitating advanced scientific research.
PSLV-C59 Rocket
The PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) is one of India’s most reliable and versatile rockets, developed by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). It can launch satellites into polar and geostationary orbits and is known for its cost-efficiency and successful track record.
PSLV is a four-stage rocket, with the first three stages powered by solid and liquid propulsion systems and the fourth stage a liquid engine. It is equipped with a strap-on motor that increases its lift capacity. The PSLV can carry a variety of payloads, from small satellites to heavier, larger payloads, and has been used for missions ranging from Earth observation to interplanetary exploration.
PSLV has been ISRO’s workhorse. It is responsible for successfully launching many important missions, such as the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and the Chandrayaan-2 mission to the Moon. Over the years, it has gained a reputation for its high reliability.
PSLV-C59 again showcased ISRO’s impressive capabilities, contributing to India’s space ambitions and international collaborations like ESA’s Proba-3 mission. The PSLV-C59 launch carried the Proba-3 satellites into a Sun-synchronous orbit, which is ideal for Earth observation satellites as it ensures consistent lighting conditions for imaging. The satellites were launched from India’s Sriharikota Spaceport (ISRO’s primary launch site), further highlighting India’s significant role in global space missions.
Proba-3
Proba-3 is the first mission designed to demonstrate precision formation flying in space. Formation flying is a technique where multiple spacecraft maintain a specific relative position to each other while flying in precise, coordinated orbits. In the case of Proba-3, the two spacecraft will need to stay in formation at around 150 meters. This high precision is achieved through advanced onboard sensors and algorithms that allow them to maintain the required relative positions. Both satellites maintain their formation using advanced control systems and GPS receivers. They will perform autonomous manoeuvres based on real-time sensor data, making the mission’s operation more efficient and reliable.
The mission’s goal, which is of utmost importance, is to observe the Sun’s corona using a coronagraph, a device that blocks out the Sun’s bright surface (photosphere) to reveal the much fainter outer layers of the Sun. This is crucial for studying solar, wind, and space weather phenomena, which can affect Earth’s communications, satellites, and even power grids. In addition to exploring the Sun, Proba-3 will provide valuable data on space weather dynamics, which is essential for protecting satellite systems from solar radiation and space debris. It will also help improve technologies for future missions that rely on formation flying, such as space telescopes or planetary exploration missions.
Formation Flying in Space
Formation Types. There are two types of formations. In the Fixed Formation, the spacecraft maintain a fixed distance and orientation relative to each other, as in the case of Proba-3’s dual spacecraft for solar observation. In Dynamic Formation, the spacecraft may change their relative positions, such as in missions where spacecraft need to move between different regions of space.
Technologies and Techniques. Formation flying involves multiple spacecraft that fly in precise, coordinated orbits and maintain a specific relative position to each other. Achieving this high precision requires advanced technologies and techniques.
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- Onboard Sensors. Formation flying spacecraft typically use a combination of star trackers, gyroscopes, and GPS to measure their relative position. These sensors provide highly accurate data about their orientation and location in space.
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- Inter-spacecraft Communication. The spacecraft in formation exchange information about their position and velocity, which helps each spacecraft adjust its trajectory to stay in formation.
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- Autonomous Control Systems. Spacecraft are often equipped with autonomous guidance systems, which allow them to make real-time adjustments based on data from onboard sensors. This reduces the need for ground-based intervention, making the formation’s operation more efficient.
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- Manoeuvre Algorithms. Specialised algorithms calculate the required adjustments to keep the spacecraft in precise formation using sensor data and communication systems. These algorithms consider factors like gravitational forces, drag, and orbital perturbations.
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- Orbit Determination. For formations to remain stable, the spacecraft must be placed in carefully calculated orbits. These orbits are often designed to minimise fuel consumption while maintaining relative positions. Minor, controlled burns of the spacecraft’s thrusters are used to maintain formation over time.
Applications of Formation Flying
Space Telescopes. Formation flying enables the creation of large, virtual telescopes. Multiple satellites flying in formation can work together to create a larger aperture, effectively improving the resolution and sensitivity of observations. ESA’s LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission is an example of using formation flying for gravitational wave detection. Three spacecraft will maintain precise formation to measure tiny changes in distances between them caused by gravitational waves.
Earth Observation. Formation flying can be used for Earth monitoring. Multiple satellites fly in formation to observe the same area from different angles or across different wavelengths. This can improve data acquisition for environmental monitoring, disaster response, and scientific studies.
Space Weather Monitoring. Missions like Proba-3 that study the Sun and its effects on space weather benefit from formation flying because it allows precise control over the position of the instruments. This capability can lead to better observations of phenomena such as the solar wind and solar flares, helping to improve space weather forecasting.
Planetary and Deep Space Missions. Formation flying could be essential for missions to distant planets, moons, or asteroids. Multiple spacecraft in formation could study the same target from different perspectives or work together to analyse a single object more comprehensively.
ISRO: A Glimpse into the Future
Chandrayaan-3. After the success of Chandrayaan-1 and the recent Chandrayaan-2 mission, ISRO is preparing for Chandrayaan-3, aiming for a soft landing on the Moon. The mission will demonstrate ISRO’s capability to execute a precise lunar landing and continue studying the Moon’s surface.
Gaganyaan. ISRO’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, is under development. It will carry Indian astronauts (called Gagannauts) into space aboard a crewed spacecraft. The mission is part of India’s ambition to become a major player in human space exploration, and it will lay the groundwork for future deep-space missions.
Aditya-L1. Aditya-L1 is ISRO’s first mission to study the Sun. It will be placed in the L1 Lagrangian point, where it can continuously observe the Sun without interruptions from Earth’s shadow. The mission will help study solar activities and space weather.
Mangalyaan-2. After the success of the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan-1), ISRO plans to launch Mangalyaan-2, which could be an orbiter or a lander/rover mission to Mars. This will build on ISRO’s expertise in interplanetary exploration.
NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar). This joint mission between NASA and ISRO will launch a radar imaging satellite to study Earth’s surface. The satellite will provide high-resolution Earth imagery to help with disaster management, agriculture, and climate monitoring. The radar data will also help detect changes in Earth’s surface, such as those caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.
Space-Based Solar Power. Looking further ahead, ISRO has expressed interest in harnessing space-based solar power. This would involve satellites with solar panels collecting solar energy in space and beaming it to Earth as microwaves or laser beams.
Formation flying is a fascinating and rapidly developing field in space exploration. Its ability to create more powerful observational platforms and facilitate coordinated scientific missions will be increasingly important in future space endeavours. ISRO, with its proven expertise and ambitious missions, is sure to remain a key player in the growing global space community.
Your valuable comments are most welcome.
Link to the article on the website:
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/isro-launches-esas-proba-3-mission-to-study-suns/
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References and credits
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References:
- European Space Agency (ESA). “Proba-3: A World First in Formation Flying.”
- Wertz, J. R., Everett, D. F., & Puschell, J. J. (Eds.). Space Mission Engineering: The New SMAD. Microcosm Press, 2011.
- Leonard, C. L., Hollister, W. M., & Jacobson, D. H. (1985). “Formation-Keeping for a Pair of Satellites in a Circular Orbit.” Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 8(3), 235-242.
- Wertz, J. R. (1999). “Autonomous Spacecraft Navigation Using Formation Flying.” Acta Astronautica, 45(4-9), 505-512.
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). “PSLV-C59/Proba-3 Mission.” A detailed account of the Proba-3 mission objectives and its demonstration of formation flying is available on NSIL’s website.
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Future Missions Overview. Available at ISRO’s official website.
- NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). Advancing India’s Space Ventures. Accessible on NSIL’s page.
- Singh, Rajeshwari P. (2024). “India’s Space Odyssey: ISRO’s Vision for 2040.” Space Policy Journal.
- The Economic Times. “ISRO’s Ambitious Gaganyaan Mission and Beyond.” A report.
- Press Information Bureau (PIB). India’s Space Roadmap: Highlights from ISRO. Available at PIB’s official website.
- European Space Agency (ESA). “Collaborating with ISRO on Future Space Technologies.” ESA official site.
- The Hindu. “ISRO 2030: What Lies Ahead?” Analysis of ISRO’s evolving role in global space exploration.
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