ISRO PSLV XL Proba-3
PSLV XL
Status
Success
Date
5 DEC 2024
10:34
Launch Provider
Indian Space Research Organization
Launch Pad
Satish Dhawan Space Centre First Launch Pad
Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India
Mission Overview
Proba-3 (Project for On-Board Autonomy 3) is the first close formation flying mission for the European Space Agency (ESA). It consists of two independent, three-axis stabilised spacecraft flying 150 meters from one another with the ability to accurately control the attitude and separation of the two craft. Such formation flying will be maintained for 6 hours, creating ″artificial solar eclipse″ for the satellite below. The spacecraft pair will fly a highly elliptical orbit divided between periods of accurate formation flying around apogee, when payload operations will be possible, and periods of free flight.
Rocket
PSLV XL
Mission Type
Technology
Orbit
Elliptical Orbit
Stages
4
Livestream
Rocket Details
PSLV-XL is the upgraded version of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in its standard configuration boosted by more powerful, stretched strap-on boosters with 12 tonne propellant load. Weighing 320t at lift-off, the vehicle uses larger strap-on motors (PSOM-XL or S12) to achieve higher payload capability. On 29 December 2005, ISRO successfully tested the improved version of strap-on booster for the PSLV. The first use of PSLV-XL was the launch of Chandrayaan-1 by PSLV C11. The payload capability for this variant is 1,800 kg to SSO.
Height
44 m
Diameter
2.8 m
Launch Mass
320 T