Sriharikota: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the PSLV C-59 rocket today, carrying the European Space Agency’s (ESA) PROBA-3 spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit. The launch took place at 16:04 hours from the first launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Following the launch, ISRO announced on social media that PSLV C-59 had successfully lifted off, marking the beginning of a global mission led by NewSpace India Limited with ISRO’s technical expertise. The mission will deploy the groundbreaking PROBA-3 satellites, a joint effort between ISRO and ESA.
PROBA-3 is an in-orbit demonstration mission aimed at showcasing new technologies for precise satellite positioning, formation flying, and proximity operations. The mission involves two spacecraft launched together in a stacked configuration, which will fly in close formation to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the corona.
The launch marks a significant milestone in ISRO’s commercial ventures, showcasing its technological capabilities in formation flying. The PSLV C-59 rocket successfully placed two mini-satellites, weighing a total of 545 kilograms, into orbit at an altitude of 600 kilometers above Earth, just 18 minutes after liftoff.
Notably, this is the second ESA satellite to be launched by ISRO, further cementing the Indian space agency’s role in global space exploration. The mission was facilitated by NewSpace India Limited, ISRO’s commercial arm.
