November 5, 2024: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to play a pivotal role in the European Union's ambitious Proba-3 Sun Observation Mission, which is slated for launch in December, according to Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology. Speaking at the Indian Space Conclave 3.0 in New Delhi on Tuesday, Dr. Singh revealed that Indian space scientists will collaborate with their European counterparts to study the mysteries of the Sun.

The Proba-3 mission, a joint project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union, is designed to provide a closer look at the Sun's faint corona, which is typically difficult to observe due to the intense brightness of the solar disk. The mission will involve two spacecraft, working in tandem to form a 144-meter-long solar coronagraph — an advanced instrument capable of capturing unprecedented detail of the Sun's outer atmosphere.

"The European Union's large orbiter Proba 3, which will observe the Sun, will be launched from Sriharikota in December aboard the PSLV-XL rocket," Dr. Singh confirmed. He also highlighted the mission's unique features, describing it as "the world's first precision formation flying mission," which will allow scientists to observe the Sun's corona with unparalleled proximity and accuracy.

The Proba-3 mission aims to enhance our understanding of the Sun’s dynamics, particularly the phenomena that affect space weather and the Earth's environment. By observing the corona up close, researchers hope to gain valuable insights into solar winds and other phenomena that influence the space environment around Earth.

Dr. Singh also underscored the significant strides made by ISRO and the global space community, noting that the space sector in India, which had been "kept under wraps for 60-70 years," is now open to private sector participation thanks to the 2023 New Space Policy. This policy shift has resulted in a booming space industry, with increased collaboration between public and private players.

As the Proba-3 mission prepares for its December launch, ISRO’s involvement in the Sun observation initiative marks another milestone in India's growing role in global space exploration.