High-flying Proba-3 will survey Earth’s radiation belts

Proba-3 stack on the way to orbit
ARCHIVE CONTENT 14 NOV. 2024 publication date 2122 Views

The Proba-3 mission is set to demonstrate technologies needed for highly precise satellite formation flying, while also mapping the radiation content of the space through which it moves. The mission’s 3D Energetic Electron Spectrometer will measure electron fluxes as it passes through Earth’s radiation belts.


3DEES on the side of Proba-3's Coronagraph

“Since we know in advance what the satellite’s orbit will be, we know what its position will be at any given time. Based on this information we can write automatic commands that are uploaded to the satellite, so that the instrument does not need active oversight.”

Although different in layout and operation mode, the instrument’s technology builds on that of its predecessor, the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT), flying aboard the Proba-V mission since its launch in 2013. More than a decade on, EPT is still collecting data and contributing to ESA’s Space Weather Service Network.


Illustration showing Van Allen radiation belts

“Since we know in advance what the satellite’s orbit will be, we know what its position will be at any given time. Based on this information we can write automatic commands that are uploaded to the satellite, so that the instrument does not need active oversight.”

Although different in layout and operation mode, the instrument’s technology builds on that of its predecessor, the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT), flying aboard the Proba-V mission since its launch in 2013. More than a decade on, EPT is still collecting data and contributing to ESA’s Space Weather Service Network.


Proba-3 orbit

“Since we know in advance what the satellite’s orbit will be, we know what its position will be at any given time. Based on this information we can write automatic commands that are uploaded to the satellite, so that the instrument does not need active oversight.”

Although different in layout and operation mode, the instrument’s technology builds on that of its predecessor, the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT), flying aboard the Proba-V mission since its launch in 2013. More than a decade on, EPT is still collecting data and contributing to ESA’s Space Weather Service Network.


Proba-3 Occulter and Coronagraph spacecraft

“Since we know in advance what the satellite’s orbit will be, we know what its position will be at any given time. Based on this information we can write automatic commands that are uploaded to the satellite, so that the instrument does not need active oversight.”

Although different in layout and operation mode, the instrument’s technology builds on that of its predecessor, the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT), flying aboard the Proba-V mission since its launch in 2013. More than a decade on, EPT is still collecting data and contributing to ESA’s Space Weather Service Network.


3DEES

“Since we know in advance what the satellite’s orbit will be, we know what its position will be at any given time. Based on this information we can write automatic commands that are uploaded to the satellite, so that the instrument does not need active oversight.”

Although different in layout and operation mode, the instrument’s technology builds on that of its predecessor, the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT), flying aboard the Proba-V mission since its launch in 2013. More than a decade on, EPT is still collecting data and contributing to ESA’s Space Weather Service Network.


Proba-3 satellites form artificial eclipse

“Since we know in advance what the satellite’s orbit will be, we know what its position will be at any given time. Based on this information we can write automatic commands that are uploaded to the satellite, so that the instrument does not need active oversight.”

Although different in layout and operation mode, the instrument’s technology builds on that of its predecessor, the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT), flying aboard the Proba-V mission since its launch in 2013. More than a decade on, EPT is still collecting data and contributing to ESA’s Space Weather Service Network.


Proba-3's pair of satellites

“Since we know in advance what the satellite’s orbit will be, we know what its position will be at any given time. Based on this information we can write automatic commands that are uploaded to the satellite, so that the instrument does not need active oversight.”

Although different in layout and operation mode, the instrument’s technology builds on that of its predecessor, the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT), flying aboard the Proba-V mission since its launch in 2013. More than a decade on, EPT is still collecting data and contributing to ESA’s Space Weather Service Network.


Getting Proba-3 fit for flight

“Since we know in advance what the satellite’s orbit will be, we know what its position will be at any given time. Based on this information we can write automatic commands that are uploaded to the satellite, so that the instrument does not need active oversight.”

Although different in layout and operation mode, the instrument’s technology builds on that of its predecessor, the Energetic Particle Telescope (EPT), flying aboard the Proba-V mission since its launch in 2013. More than a decade on, EPT is still collecting data and contributing to ESA’s Space Weather Service Network.


Eclipse-making double-satellite Proba-3

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