European Space Agency makes history with world's first spacecraft precision formation flying in orbit

Space missions are often performed with lone spacecraft, but the Proba-3 spacecraft, built by the European Space Agency (ESA) has finally introduced some teamwork in the mix.

The ESA’s latest spacecraft made history by achieving the first spacecraft precision formation flying in orbit.

The mission was launched on an Indian rocket at the end of 2024, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on the east coast of India.

It is made possible only through the efforts of 29 companies from 14 countries, including French aerospace giant Airbus.

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Proba-3 features two satellites, called the coronagraph and the occulter.

Together, they are designed to study the Sun’s mysterious outer atmosphere, the corona.

The corona is exceedingly tough to observe, as it’s usually drowned out by the light of the Sun.

That’s why it can only be seen clearly during the few minutes of a total solar eclipse on Earth.

ESA’s answer to the problem is ingenious: make an artificial eclipse that lasts up to six hours at a time.

In order to make that happen, the two spacecraft need to align perfectly in orbit.

The occulter blocks the sun’s direct light, casting a tiny shadow onto the coronagraph’s sensor.

Pin-point precision is required, and there is absolutely no room for error.

The satellites fly just 150 meters apart, and hold their position within a single millimeter.

At times, the shadow hitting the coronagraph needs to be just five centimeters across.

Remember, this is all done in orbit, 37,282 miles from Earth.

The best part is that the satellites do all of this on their own, after being guided into position by ground control.

Once they’re set in motion, they manage their exact position and alignment using a combination of advanced sensors, lasers, and onboard software.

This is how it works: A wide-angle camera on the occulter tracks flashing LEDs on the coronagraph.

Next, a narrow-angle camera zooms in for finer alignment.

Finally, a Fine Lateral and Longitudinal Sensor fires a laser beam at a retroreflector on the other spacecraft.

That beam bounces back, giving the occulter all the data it needs to stay locked in.

At the same time, a shadow sensor ensures the coronagraph stays hidden from the sun’s glare.

This impressive dance of precision isn’t just cool to watch – although it definitely is – but also a potential game-changer for future space missions.

Just imagine fleets of telescopes, satellites, or even planetary explorers working together in perfect harmony. Unlike some of NASA’s equipment, which was recently found abandoned in Florida.

Officially, the Proba-3’s mission isn’t over, but this successful test already opens up new possibilities in space exploration and spacecraft design.

The next time someone tells you space is a lonely place, remind them of Proba-3, the satellite duo that brought some teamwork to the void.

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