New Delhi, November 5: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch the European Union's Proba 3 Sun Observation Mission in December. This announcement was made by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, during the Indian Space Conclave 3.0.
The Proba-3 mission aims to study the Sun's faint corona closer to the solar rim and will utilize the PSLV-XL rocket for its launch from Sriharikota. This mission includes two satellites that will work in tandem to create a solar coronagraph, a 144-meter-long instrument designed to observe the Sun's corona, which is challenging to study due to the brightness of the solar disk.
Dr. Singh emphasized that this mission represents the 'world's first precision formation flying mission,' enabling unprecedented proximity and detail in the study of the Sun's elusive corona. He noted that the space sector, previously restricted for decades, has now been opened to public participation, leading to significant growth in the industry.
The Minister also outlined ambitious future projects, including the establishment of the Indian space station, Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), by 2035, and the goal of landing the first Indian on the Moon by 2040. He highlighted the increasing use of space technology across various sectors in India, which contributes to initiatives like smart city development through navigation, satellite imaging, and terrain mapping.
Furthermore, Dr. Singh expressed India's aspiration to raise its contribution to the global space economy from 2 percent to 10 percent in the coming years.