The much-anticipated launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), carrying the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 satellites, faced an unexpected setback today. Scheduled for liftoff at 4:08 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, the mission was abruptly postponed due to a last-minute anomaly in the payload. Now, the countdown resumes for tomorrow’s revised launch time at 4:12 PM IST.
What Caused the Delay in ISRO’s Proba-3 Launch?
An anomaly detected in the Proba-3 satellites halted today’s countdown. Engineers and mission specialists were closely monitoring the payload when the issue surfaced just minutes before the scheduled liftoff.
ISRO confirmed that the launch sequence was progressing smoothly until the anomaly emerged. According to officials, all pre-launch systems were nominal, and the weather conditions over Sriharikota were ideal for the mission.
Historically, rocket launches from Sriharikota have been affected by cyclonic disturbances along the Bay of Bengal. However, this time, the tropical cyclone made landfall much farther south, sparing the launch site from severe weather conditions.
Significance of PSLV
The PSLV is often referred to as India’s “workhorse rocket.” With over 60 successful launches, it has played a critical role in placing satellites into low Earth and geostationary orbits.
Key Features of PSLV-C59
- Height: 44.5 meters
- Weight at Liftoff: 320 tonnes
- Payload Capacity: Up to 1,750 kg for sun-synchronous orbit (SSO)
Proba-3
The Proba-3 mission is a groundbreaking project by ESA, designed to showcase precision formation-flying technologies. This mission consists of two small spacecraft that will fly in formation to simulate a total solar eclipse.
The Twin Satellites of Proba-3
- Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC): Responsible for capturing images of the Sun’s corona.
- Occulter Spacecraft (OSC): Acts as a shield, blocking the Sun’s light to create a solar eclipse effect.
The primary goal of Proba-3 is to demonstrate how two spacecraft can operate as a single, rigid structure in space. This formation-flying technology could pave the way for future space-based telescopes and other scientific missions.
This launch marks the second time ESA has partnered with ISRO for satellite deployment. The first mission, Proba-1, launched aboard a PSLV in 2001 and has exceeded its expected lifespan by over two decades.
New Space India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, is responsible for managing the Proba-3 launch. This mission highlights the growing collaboration between India and international space agencies for commercial satellite launches.
ISRO has a proven track record of successfully managing last-minute anomalies and ensuring mission success. This expertise is a testament to India’s growing capabilities in space technology.
Formation flying involves two or more satellites maintaining precise positions relative to each other. This technology has applications in astrophysics, Earth observation, and even planetary exploration.
With the anomaly resolved, ISRO is confident about tomorrow’s launch. The countdown will resume several hours before the scheduled liftoff.
