Two spacecraft flying in formation to create a permanent artificial solar eclipse
The European Space Agency's Proba-3 mission uses two separate satellites flying in precise formation to block the Sun's glare. By creating a continuous artificial eclipse, this setup allows scientists to study the faint solar atmosphere that is usually hidden by the star's intense brightness.
The Proba-3 mission relies on a dual-spacecraft system: the Occulter and the Coronagraph. The Occulter carries a disk to block the fiery solar surface, while the Coronagraph observes the Sun's surrounding atmosphere. Because the Occulter faces the Sun continuously, it serves as a unique and valuable platform for scientific research.
The mission is scheduled to launch on 4 December on a PSLV-XL rocket. The launch will take place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, at 11:38 CET.
