The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is set to launch the Proba-3, a spacecraft of European Union for the Sun observation mission, in December, Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh said. The satellite will be launched by PSLV-XL rocket from Sriharikota. Two satellite for Proba-3 mission arrived at Sriharikota on Tuesday.

Proba-3 And Its Mission

Proba-3 includes two satellite, which will work together. Together it will create coronagraph that will help to brightness of solar disk. Proba-3 mission is developed for observation of Sun. The two spacecraft for Proba-3 to be placed in highly elliptical orbit, reaching up to 60,000 Km from Earth. It will observe Sun’s outer atmosphere.  

Jitendra Singh Over EU’s Proba-3

The Minister mentioned that, “European Union’s Proba-3 to go to space from Sriharikota in the first week of December. This is the third spacecraft of Proba series and it will observe the Sun. The first two were launched to observe the Earth.” Jitendra Singh stated this at Indian Space Conclave 3.0 in the presence of EU ambassador for India Herve Delphin and ISRO chairman S Somanath.

He also stated that, “Space scientists from ISRO and European Union are going to jointly observe the Sun’s atmosphere.”  This mission includes two satellite that will work to create a instrument that will be 144-metre-long, known as coronagraph. This will help scientists doing study of Sun’s corona, which is difficult to observe due to brightness of solar disk.

Minister of Science and Technology, Singh also set out the goal of establishing the Indian space station Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and doing landing of first Indian Moon by 2040.

He mentioned that India aims at increasing its contribution to global space economy from 2% to 10%. “We are no longer waiting for technologies to be handed down to us; we are now innovators in our own right, developing solutions that are shaping global standards.” Singh said.

ISRO Chairman On Proba-3

ISRO chairman, S Somanath stated that, with the strategic partnerships we are ready to make India a leader in space innovation. “Under strong government leadership, we have moved from announcements to concrete projects.” Somanath added.

Herve Delphin On Proba-3

The mission came after ISRO launched its Sun mission, Adiyas L1. Delphin mentioned that, “India  and EU are natural partners in space, both aiming for strategic autonomy in navigation, Earth observation and communication technologies.”

Also Read:IMD Weather Update: Delhi’s AQI Remains ‘Very Poor’, Check Forecast For Kerala, Tamil Nadu