Proba-3: seeing in the dark
by Staff Writers
Paris (ESA) Aug 25, 2023
One of the precision formation flying Proba-3 satellites as seen from the other during ground testing. The pair will fly in orbit relative to one another down to millimetre scale precision, but in order to do this must keep continuous track of each other in both sunlight and darkness.
To achieve this, Proba-3 combines vision-based detection, as tested here, with radio frequency links, satellite navigation and laser ranging.
The Visual-Based Sensor will be used when the satellites are closer than 250 m to each other. LEDs aboard Proba-3's Coronagraph satellite - seen in this animation - will be detected by a set of cameras on the other Occulter satellite, appearing as pattens of light in the dark.
Finally, for maximum precision, the Occulter will shine a laser at a retro-reflector mounted on the Coronagraph satellite.
Proba-3 will demonstrate formation flying in the context of a large-scale science experiment. The two satellites will together form a 144-m long solar coronagraph to study the Sun's faint corona closer to the solar rim than has ever before been achieved. The aim is to operate as if the pair are part of a single giant spacecraft in orbit.
The Proba-3 satellites are currently undergoing testing at IABG in Germany ahead of a planned launch from India next year.
Artificial Intelligence Analysis
Defense Industry Analyst: 8 Stock Market Analyst: 6 General Industry Analyst: 7 Analyst Summary
:
Proba-3 is a pair of ESA satellites developed to demonstrate formation flying and conduct a large-scale science experiment. The experiment involves the two satellites forming a 144m long solar coronagraph to study the suns faint corona at a closer range than ever before. The satellites will use various technologies, such as vision-based detection, radio frequency links, satellite navigation, and laser ranging, to maintain precise track of each other while in orbit. Currently, Proba-3 is undergoing testing at IABG in Germany, and is planned to be launched from India next year. This is a significant advancement in the defense and space industry, as it is the first time that formation flying has been demonstrated in a large-scale science experiment. The implications of this advancement could bring about improved navigation and communication capabilities in space exploration, as well as numerous other potential applications.
Correlations, Discrepancies, and Notable Similarities: Over the past 25 years, the space and defense industry has seen numerous advancements in the field of satellite navigation and communication. These advancements have enabled the exploration of space for both scientific and military purposes. The Proba-3 project is in line with these advancements, as it seeks to demonstrate the use of formation flying in a large-scale science experiment. This could enable improved navigation and communication capabilities in space exploration, which could bring about numerous potential applications.
Investigative
Question:
- 1. What are the potential applications of formation flying enabled by Proba-3?
- 2. How does Proba-3s formation flying technology compare to the existing navigation and communication capabilities in the space and defense industry?
- 3.
What are the challenges associated with developing and operating Proba-3s formation flying technology? 4. How does Proba-3s formation flying technology offer an advantage over existing navigation and communication systems?
5. What implications does the Proba-3 project have for the space and defense industry?
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