isro-delays-proba-3-launch-to-thursday-after-anomaly

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has rescheduled the launch of PSLV-C59 carrying the PROBA-3 mission to Thursday, December 5, after detecting an anomaly in one of the mission’s satellites.

 

The launch, originally set for Wednesday at 4:08 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, was postponed minutes before the scheduled lift-off.

 

ISRO issued a statement noting, “Due to an anomaly detected in PROBA-3 spacecraft PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 launch rescheduled to tomorrow at 16:12 hours.”

 

The PROBA-3 mission, a collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), represents the world’s first satellite formation flying initiative.

 

The mission features two satellites—Coronagraph (310 kg) and Occulter (240 kg)—designed to fly in precise tandem, separated by only a millimetre, to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona.

 

According to ISRO officials, the ESA scientists identified the anomaly in one of the spacecraft during pre-launch checks and requested a delay.

 

"Based on their request, the launch has been rescheduled (for Thursday at 4.12 pm)," an official confirmed.

 

The PSLV-C59 rocket stands at 44.5 metres tall and marks the 61st flight of the PSLV series, with the 26th use of its XL variant, designed for heavier payloads.

 

The two satellites will undergo an 18-minute journey to reach the desired orbit, after which they will separate and fly in formation, with the Occulter spacecraft blocking the Sun’s disk to enable Coronagraph to study the corona.

 

The European Space Agency highlighted the significance of the mission, explaining that the corona is much hotter than the Sun itself and is the origin of space weather.

 

The insights gained are expected to contribute significantly to scientific understanding and practical applications.

 

For ISRO, the mission follows its pioneering Aditya-L1 solar mission launched in September 2023 and promises to advance its solar exploration capabilities.

PROBA-3, part of the General Support Technology Programme, aims to demonstrate precision formation flying.

 

The mission will also see its spacecraft travel closer to the solar rim for up to six hours during each orbit of approximately 19 hours around the Earth.

‘Probas’, derived from Latin, means ‘Let’s try,’ reflecting the ambitious nature of the project.