PSLV-XL | Proba-3
PSLV XL launched the Proba-3 mission for Indian Space Research Organization from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India on Dec 5, 2024 (UTC).
Launch pad
Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad · Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India
PSLV-XL | Proba-3
Launched Dec 5, 2024 7:34:00 PMSuccess
3 objects in orbit now
Flight direction
31° NNE
measured from the launched orbit · inclination 59.8°
Flight path
First-stage drop zone (rough estimate)
Drawn 400–700 km downrange along the flight direction. Official hazard areas are published as NOTAMs and navigational warnings.
About the mission
Proba-3 (Project for On-Board Autonomy 3) is the first close formation flying mission for the European Space Agency (ESA). It consists of two independent, three-axis stabilised spacecraft flying 150 meters from one another with the ability to accurately control the attitude and separation of the two craft. Such formation flying will be maintained for 6 hours, creating ″artificial solar eclipse″ for the satellite below. The spacecraft pair will fly a highly elliptical orbit divided between periods of accurate formation flying around apogee, when payload operations will be possible, and periods of free flight.
Mission description from Launch Library 2.
Objects from this launch still in orbit
- Launch time (your time zone)
- Thu, Dec 5 · 7:34:00 PM
- Status
- Success
- Launch provider
- Indian Space Research Organization
- Rocket
- PSLV XL
- Mission type
- Technology
- Target orbit
- Elliptical
- Launch pad
- Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad · Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India