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The objective of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Proba-3 mission is to demonstrate high-precision formation flying in space.

It consists of two small satellites launched together that will separate apart to fly in tandem, to prepare for future multi-satellite missions flying as one virtual structure.

As a world first, its two satellites –the Coronagraph spacecraft and the Occulter spacecraft – will maintain formation to a few millimeters and arc second precision at distances of 144 m or more for six hours at a time. In effect the pair will be forming a virtual giant satellite. And this will be achieved autonomously, without relying on guidance from the ground.

After a short preparatory period, the two satellites will be separated and injected into a safe relative tandem orbit.

The cost in fuel would be too high to maintain formation throughout the orbit.

Key Objectives of the Proba-3 Mission:

1. Formation Flying Demonstration:

Proba-3 will demonstrate highly accurate formation flying with two satellites separated by around 150 meters. The mission aims to achieve control of the relative positions of the satellites with an accuracy of millimeters and arcsecond precision in their orientation.

This level of precision is crucial for future space missions that involve multiple spacecraft working together as a coordinated system.

1. Coronagraphic Observations of the Sun:

One of the key science objectives is to study the solar corona, the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere. The Proba-3 mission will do this using a coronagraph, where one satellite acts as the occulting disk (blocking the Sun’s direct light) while the other carries the telescope to observe the corona.

By blocking out the Sun's bright disk with the occulting satellite, the telescope can capture images of the corona without interference from the Sun’s direct glare. This helps scientists study the corona's structure and its influence on space weather.

1. Technology Demonstration for Future Missions:

Proba-3 is designed to test and validate technologies that will be important for future space missions, especially those involving complex multi-satellite configurations. This includes precise guidance, navigation, and control systems required for maintaining formation in space.

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