While millions prepare for next week's total solar eclipse across North America, the European Space Agency (ESA) is readying a groundbreaking mission designed to unlock the mysteries of the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona. Proba-3, unveiled today in Belgium, will utilise two satellites to create artificial eclipses on demand, vastly extending our observational capabilities.
Beyond Natural Eclipses
Natural eclipses offer fleeting glimpses of the corona, but Proba-3 aims to revolutionise this field. The mission's Occulter spacecraft will fly approximately 150 meters from the Coronagraph spacecraft. Precise alignment will cast a shadow on the Coronagraph, blanking out the Sun's blinding disk and revealing the corona for up to six hours at a time.
"This precise formation flying will act as if the two spacecraft were one giant instrument," explains Dietmar Pilz, ESA Director of Technology, Engineering, and Quality. "It's a significant technical challenge but vital for success."
Understanding the Sun's Secrets
The corona, a million degrees hotter than the Sun's surface, is the source of space weather events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections. These can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communications here on Earth.
Innovative Technology, International Effort
Proba-3 builds on the idea of artificial eclipses, first attempted during the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz mission. Precision formation flying will be key, achieved through a combination of technologies, including lasers for pinpoint accuracy. Spain and Belgium lead this international collaboration, highlighting ESA's commitment to advancing space science.
Revolutionising Space Missions
Success with Proba-3 would demonstrate the feasibility of formation flying for future missions. This could enable giant space telescopes and the ability to service satellites in orbit, extending their lifespans and protecting our space infrastructure.
Testing During the Eclipse
While Proba-3 prepares for launch, its science team will utilise the North American eclipse to test mission instruments. This dedication ensures that the mission is ready to produce groundbreaking data from its unique vantage point in space.
