The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the second attempt to launch the Proba-3 mission on Thursday, following the cancellation of the original launch scheduled for December 4. The mission, involving the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C59), is now set to lift off at 4:12 PM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The initial launch was delayed after a technical anomaly was detected in the Proba-3 spacecraft during pre-launch checks. The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed the issue, which prompted the rescheduling of the launch.

The Proba-3 mission is a collaborative effort between ISRO and ESA, marking the first satellite launch between the two agencies since 2001. The mission aims to demonstrate advanced formation-flying technology using two satellites: the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC). These satellites will work together to create artificial solar eclipses, allowing scientists to study the Sun’s corona without interference from its bright disk.

The Proba-3 satellites will be placed in a highly elliptical orbit, with altitudes ranging from 600 kilometers to 60,530 kilometers. This configuration enables extended observations of solar phenomena for up to six hours, offering valuable data on solar activity and its effects on space weather.

The mission is a significant milestone for ISRO, showcasing its engineering expertise and commitment to advancing international collaboration in space science.