He confirmed that the anomaly is under detailed investigation, with engineers working to understand the cause and determine the best course of action. In the meantime, the mission’s control team at ESA’s European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Redu, Belgium, is evaluating the feasibility of a software solution to overcome the propulsion system issue. Should this software fix prove effective, the launch will proceed as planned on December 5.Proba-3 is a unique mission consisting of two spacecraft designed to fly in precise formation to within millimetres. This cutting-edge capability will enable the mission’s primary scientific objective of creating artificial solar eclipses in space to study the Sun’s faint corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere. By blocking the Sun’s fiery disk, Proba-3’s “Occulter” spacecraft will cast a shadow onto its companion “Coronagraph” spacecraft, allowing uninterrupted observation of the corona—an environment that is a million times fainter than the Sun itself.The twin satellites will be separated by 150 metres in orbit, and their precise alignment will allow continuous solar observation for up to six hours during each 19-hour orbit. The system’s accuracy—down to a single millimetre—is unparalleled and represents a breakthrough in satellite formation flying.Meanwhile, ISRO’s ground teams are on high vigil as any further delay would mean they have to drain the propellant from the tanks. Sources said they can keep the propellant for a maximum of 48 hours.
Source link