Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh) [India]: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 mission on December 4, 2024, at 4:06 PM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Mission Highlights
This mission marks the 61st flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the 26th using the PSLV-XL configuration. The PSLV-C59 will carry two satellites weighing approximately 550 kilograms into a highly elliptical orbit.
The PROBA-3 mission is an “In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD)” initiative by the European Space Agency (ESA), aimed at demonstrating precise formation flying in space.
Details of the Mission
- The payload consists of two spacecraft:
- Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC)
- Occulter Spacecraft (OSC)
Both satellites will launch in a “stacked configuration,” where one is positioned on top of the other.
- PSLV-C59 is a four-stage launch vehicle with a total mass of approximately 320 tonnes.
- ISRO highlighted that PSLV is India’s first launch vehicle equipped with liquid stages, showcasing its precision and reliability since its inaugural flight in October 1994.
Collaboration and Significance
ISRO emphasized the collaboration between NSIL (NewSpace India Limited), ESA, and its own teams in executing this mission. “This mission exemplifies the trusted precision of PSLV and the collaboration of NSIL, ISRO, and ESA,” the organization stated.
Previous Launch
The last PSLV mission, PSLV-C58, successfully launched the XPOSAT satellite on January 1, 2024, into an eastward low-inclination orbit. XPOSAT, India’s first dedicated scientific satellite for space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emissions from celestial sources, demonstrated ISRO’s advancements in astrophysics research.
The PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 mission reaffirms ISRO’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and international cooperation in space exploration.