Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
    • F-L
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
    • M-S
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
    • T-Z
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    • March 2025
    • Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    • Showcase 2025
    • September 2024
    • June 2024
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Subscribe to magazine Subscribe to email newsletter Media Pack
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
  • News
      • Acoustic & Vibration
      • Avionics
      • Data Acquisition
      • Defense
      • Drones & Air Taxis
      • Electric & Hybrid
      • EMC
      • Engine Testing
      • Environmental Testing
      • Fatigue Testing
      • Flight Testing
      • Helicopters & Rotorcraft
      • High Speed Imaging
      • Industry News
      • Materials Testing
      • NDT
      • Simulation & Training
      • Software
      • Space
      • Structural Testing
      • Supplier News
      • Technology
      • Telemetry & Communications
      • Weapons Testing
      • Wind Tunnels
  • Features
  • Magazines
    1. March 2025
    2. Dec 2024/Jan 2025
    3. Showcase 2025
    4. September 2024
    5. June 2024
    6. March 2024
    7. Archive Issues
    8. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    19th March 2025

    In this issue: March 2025

    Online Magazines By Ben Sampson
    Recent

    In this issue: March 2025

    19th March 2025
    contents and front cover of magazine

    In this issue: December / January 2025

    19th December 2024
    Showcase 2025

    In this issue – Showcase 2025

    6th November 2024
  • Opinion
  • Webinars
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Aerospace Test & Development Show
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Suppliers
    • Supplier Spotlights
    • Press Releases
    • Technical Papers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn YouTube X (Twitter)
Aerospace Testing InternationalAerospace Testing International
News Space

Proba-3’s dual spacecraft to launch next week

Ben SampsonBy Ben Sampson29th November 20242 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email
Proba-3 laser firing
A firing of the Proba-3 laser this year during calibration testing in Belgium earlier this year (Image: ESA - M. Pédoussaut / J. Versluys)

ESA’s double-spacecraft precision formation flying mission, Proba-3, is due to be launched from India next week.

The launch is planned for December 4 via a PSLV-XL launcher by the Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO.

The two spacecraft will maintain positions relative to each which will remain accruate to within a few millimetres during its mission, a feat never achieved before. To achieve this they will use a suite of sensors, including inter-satellite radio links, Global Navigation Satellite System receivers, visual imaging of LEDs and – for the most precise positioning at closest range – a laser metrology system.

Seen in the above the above infrared photograph is the reflected laser beam from that metrology system. The photograph was acquired during on-ground calibration testing performed by ESA, MDA and Centre Spatial de Liège personnel which took place at Redwire Space in Kruibeke, Belgium, in February.

The goal of Proba-3 is to achieve artificial solar eclipses on demand. Proba-3’s Occulter spacecraft will cast a precisely-controlled 8cm shadow onto its Coronagraph spacecraft 150m away for six hours at time.

The laser is seen being fired from the Occulter spacecraft towards the Coronagraph’s retroreflector, designed to reflect it back in precisely the same direction it originated from. In addition a set of Shadow Position Sensors located around the coronagraph aperture will ensure the shadow remains in the correct position.

This mission is being put together for ESA by a consortium led by Spain’s SENER, with participation by more than 29 companies from 14 countries.

Proba-3 in space
The Proba-3 satellites will fly through space 150m away from each other (Image: ESA)

The Proba-3 platforms have been designed by Airbus Defence and Space in Spain and satellite integration by Redwire in Belgium. GMV in Spain is responsible for Proba-3’s formation flying subsystem while its main coronagraph instrument comes from Belgium’s Centre Spatial de Liège, CSL.

Share. Twitter LinkedIn Facebook Email
Previous ArticlePowerCell secures order for Japanese aviation fuel cell project
Next Article Q&A: Mike Mew, director for the DragonFire laser weapon, MBDA UK
Ben Sampson

Ben has worked as a journalist and editor, covering technology, engineering and industry for the last 20 years. Initially writing about subjects from nuclear submarines to autonomous cars to future design and manufacturing technologies, he was editor of a leading UK-based engineering magazine before becoming editor of Aerospace Testing in 2017.

Related Posts

News

Astrolight raises €2.8m to build optical space communications network

22nd May 20253 Mins Read
Drones & Air Taxis

Wisk and NASA to partner on US autonomous flight operations and standards

20th May 20252 Mins Read
Industry News

Society of Flight Test Engineers Europe releases Annual Symposium 2025 agenda

19th May 20252 Mins Read
Latest Posts

AIR cargo eVTOL completes night flight testing

22nd May 2025

Astrolight raises €2.8m to build optical space communications network

22nd May 2025

Industry Adoption of 3D Optical Surface Gauges

21st May 2025
Supplier Spotlights
Our Social Channels
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Getting in Touch
  • Subscribe To Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Meet the Team
  • Media Pack
Related Topics
  • Aircraft Interiors
  • Business Jet Interiors
FREE WEEKLY NEWS EMAIL!

Get the 'best of the week' from this website direct to your inbox every Wednesday

© 2023 Mark Allen Group Ltd | All Rights Reserved
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.