On December 5th at 11:34 AM, ESA’s Proba-3 mission was launched into space from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India.
The mission marks a milestone in space exploration – the world’s first precision formation flight of this type.In collaboration with ESA, DTU Space, along with other international partners, plays a central role in developing the technology that the mission will use to explore the Sun’s corona – the Sun's mysterious outer layer, which has fascinated scientists for many years.
“This is a major milestone for us at DTU Space. The mission will have a significant impact on future space research and space missions. We are now looking forward to following the mission’s development and the discoveries and test results it will bring. The technology we have developed is a step towards expanding humanity’s ability to understand and explore space,” says John Leif Jørgensen, professor at DTU Space, who has led the work on Denmark’s contribution to the mission.
A Revolutionary Concept
The Proba-3 mission is not only a demonstration of technological skills but also a test of an entirely new concept where two satellites fly in precise formation and work as a single instrument.
This technology enables a more detailed exploration of the Sun’s corona than has been possible until now.
The two satellites in the mission will maintain their position with a precision of one millimeter, with one satellite "shielding" the Sun's light, thus making it possible for the other one to study the surrounding corona – an area where space weather originates, and a subject of great scientific and practical interest.
DTU's Precise Navigation System
One of the biggest challenges of the mission is getting the two satellites to fly in tight and precise formation in space.
To maintain a precision of one millimeter between the satellites, DTU Space has developed an innovative navigation system that is central to the mission's success.The system, called the Proba-3 Vision-Based Sensor System, uses advanced digital cameras that allow the satellites to find each other and maintain the necessary distance under extreme conditions.
“Getting two satellites to function as a single instrument over vast distances is a completely new approach to space missions. Our technology makes it possible to maintain precise positions, even when the two satellites are separated by several kilometers. This opens up entirely new possibilities in space research and space technology, such as the development of new super telescopes based on multiple satellites flying in formation,” says John Leif Jørgensen.
Autonomous Positioning Using AI
One of the major innovations of the Proba-3 mission is the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
The satellites must navigate and maintain their positions without human intervention. AI-based systems will allow the satellites to autonomously adjust their positions and maintain the necessary formation. This is crucial as it enables precise measurements without the need for constant monitoring and intervention from Earth.
“Proba-3 is a significant step towards making future space missions more autonomous and efficient. It shows how we can use AI to control satellites with extreme precision, opening up many new possibilities in space research,” says John Leif Jørgensen.
Technology for Combating Space Debris
In addition to studying the Sun’s corona, the mission is also testing technology to address the growing problem of space debris.
One of the onboard cameras from DTU is designed to identify, “lock onto,” and track space debris.This is important to avoid collisions with decommissioned satellites and active spacecraft in Earth’s orbit, which is becoming increasingly crowded.
“The Proba-3 mission is just the beginning of a series of future space missions where the innovative technology being tested now will play a crucial role,” concludes John Leif Jørgensen.
