A groundbreaking mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) involving two satellites designed to create artificial eclipses is scheduled for launch on December 04, 2024. The Proba-3 formation-flying mission will be carried into orbit aboard India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C59) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The liftoff is expected 4:08 PM (IST). Live coverage of the event will be provided by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Proba-3 Launch Live Details

The launch will kickstart at 4:08 PM (IST) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The live streaming will be available on ISRO YouTube channel, while one can get real-time updates on the organisation’s social media handle.

Details of the Mission

The Proba-3 mission comprises two satellites weighing a combined 550 kilograms. These spacecraft will enter a highly elliptical orbit, varying between 600 kilometers and 60,530 kilometers from Earth. ESA officials have stated that once separated, the satellites will be tested for safe tandem orbiting, including a demonstration of collision avoidance protocols.

The primary objective involves precise formation flying, which ESA has described as “unprecedented,” in a statement. The satellites will align with millimeter accuracy over a distance of 150 meters, forming what the agency terms a “virtual giant satellite.” During this alignment, one satellite will block the Sun’s disk, enabling its companion to observe the solar corona — the Sun’s outer atmosphere — without interference.

Scientific Goals and Technological Advancements

Proba-3 is designed to allow extended observation of the corona, which is typically visible from Earth only during brief solar eclipses, as per reports. ESA has highlighted in a statement that this mission will provide up to six hours of uninterrupted corona study during each 19-hour orbital cycle. This extended observation is expected to aid in understanding phenomena such as the Sun’s high corona temperatures and the acceleration of the solar wind.

The mission, expected to last a minimum of two years, is also aimed at advancing autonomous formation-flying technologies. ESA officials have suggested that these innovations could pave the way for larger-scale satellite formations, potentially revolutionising fields like Earth observation and in-orbit servicing.

Proba Series Legacy

Proba-3 marks the fourth mission in ESA’s Proba series, following the launch of Proba-1 in 2001, Proba-2 in 2009, and Proba-V in 2012. These missions have contributed to Earth observation and solar studies, with all previous satellites reportedly remaining operational in orbit.

The Proba-3 project, initiated in 2014 with an estimated cost of €200 million, reflects a collaborative effort between ESA and private sector partners.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has scheduled the launch of the PSLV-C59 rocket carrying the Proba-3 spacecraft for December 4, 2024, at 4:08 PM IST, as per reports. The mission, a dedicated commercial venture of NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), will take off from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. According to reports, this will mark the 61st mission of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the 21st use of its XL configuration.

Mission Overview

As per sources, Proba-3, a project developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), is an In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) mission aimed at showcasing precision formation flying. The spacecraft consists of two components: the Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC) and the Occulter Spacecraft (OSC). These satellites, launched in a stacked arrangement, will operate in tandem, maintaining a precise distance of 150 meters. The innovative configuration will enable the creation of artificial solar eclipses, allowing extended observation of the Sun’s corona.

Scientific Objectives

Reports indicate that the mission’s primary objective is to explore the Sun’s corona, the outermost layer of its atmosphere, to enhance understanding of solar dynamics and space weather. Instruments aboard the spacecraft have been designed to block the Sun’s intense light, facilitating detailed study of solar phenomena that are otherwise difficult to observe. Proba-3’s ability to continuously monitor the corona for up to six hours is expected to yield valuable scientific data.

Collaboration and Technology

The mission highlights significant collaboration between ISRO and ESA. Reportedly, the PSLV-XL rocket, equipped with additional strap-on boosters, will carry a payload weighing approximately 550 kg. The precision formation flying technology demonstrated by Proba-3 is expected to pave the way for advanced techniques in space exploration. The launch preparations at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre are underway, and all systems are reportedly on track for the scheduled liftoff.

A new ancient human species, Homo juluensis, has been identified by researchers, marking a significant step in understanding human evolution in the Middle Pleistocene epoch. According to findings published in PaleoAnthropology in May 2024, the discovery is based on fossil evidence unearthed in China, with specimens dating between 220,000 and 100,000 years ago. The species, known as “big head people,” is characterised by large skulls, blending features seen in modern humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans.

Fossil Evidence and Characteristics

The fossils forming the basis of this new classification were recovered from sites in Xujiayao and Xuchang in northern and central China, as per reports. Excavations at Xujiayao in the 1970s yielded over 10,000 stone tools and 21 fossil fragments, representing at least 10 individuals. These fossils display large, wide crania with Neanderthal-like characteristics, yet also share traits with modern humans and Denisovans. Four additional ancient skulls discovered at Xuchang exhibit similar features.

The research team, led by Christopher Bae, an anthropologist at the University of Hawai’i and Xiujie Wu, a paleoanthropologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, concluded that these fossils represent a distinct hominin population. The findings indicate a likely continuity of hybridisation among Middle Pleistocene hominins, which shaped human evolution in eastern Asia.

Naming and Expert Perspectives

In a statement to Nature Communications, published in November 2024, the researchers advocated for using Homo juluensis to clarify eastern Asia’s complex fossil record. While some experts, such as Chris Stringer of the Natural History Museum in London, have suggested the fossils might align more closely with Homo longi, the designation of Homo juluensis has gained traction.

The name, according to Bae, in a statement, was introduced to improve scientific communication. Paleoanthropologist John Hawks of the University of Wisconsin–Madison noted in a blog post that such terminology allows clearer reference to this population’s place in the human evolutionary narrative. The discovery underscores the intricate relationships within ancient hominin groups and their evolutionary significance.