{"id":59150,"date":"2024-05-20T08:24:30","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T08:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/2d42d25e-eba0-4350-be2c-340dfc53f61b"},"modified":"2024-05-20T09:08:25","modified_gmt":"2024-05-20T09:08:25","slug":"proba-3-will-be-a-144-metre-sun-scope-in-space-tasked-with-creating-artificial-eclipses-this-is-how-were-doing-it","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/proba-3-will-be-a-144-metre-sun-scope-in-space-tasked-with-creating-artificial-eclipses-this-is-how-were-doing-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Proba-3 will be a 144-metre Sun scope in space, tasked with creating artificial eclipses. This is how we’re doing it."},"content":{"rendered":"

How do you build a 144-metre Sun-scope in space? Following. Marie Beeckman reveals how PROBA-3 will work. <\/p>

By Marie Beeckman\n <\/p>

Published: Monday, 20 May 2024 at 08:24 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Imagine there was a way to make a giant satellite, 100 metres across, without having to launch it as a single, huge payload.<\/p>

This could be possible using a technology called \u2018formation flying\u2019 \u2013 two or more satellites flying in formation, acting together as one big satellite to form, for example, an enormous telescope.<\/p>

The European Space Agency\u2019s Proba-3 mission<\/a>, due to launch by the end of 2024, will accomplish precisely this by using two satellites flying in formation at a distance of 144 metres apart.<\/p>

Artist’s impression of Proba-3 satellites in an elliptical orbit around Earth. Credit: ESA – P. Carril, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>
**PROBA-3 and the solar corona<\/strong><\/h2>**PROBA-3 will capture images of the Sun\u2019s outer layer, the corona, from which coronal mass ejections<\/a> originate.<\/p>
These large outbursts produce tiny, high-speed particles that can disrupt anything electrical in their path, potentially causing satellite and aircraft failures here on Earth.\u00a0<\/p>
Capturing images of the corona requires blocking the bright sunlight from the Sun using a mask, creating an artificial solar eclipse<\/a>.<\/p>
Though satellites have been built in the past to image the Sun\u2019s corona, these held the mask very close to the camera.<\/p>
The resulting diffraction effects make capturing images very close to the Sun\u2019s surface challenging.<\/p>
$\"A$
A view of the Sun’s corona captured by the SOHO spacecraft on 3 April 2024. The large red disc in the centre is a coronagraph. Credit: NASA\/ESA\/SOHO<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Formation flying<\/strong><\/h2>
The solution is formation flying. PROBA-3 consists of two satellites.<\/p>
One functions as the coronagraph that captures images.<\/p>
The other satellite is the occulter, equipped with a round disc to serve as the occulting mask, blocking sunlight.<\/p>
The pair maintain a distance of 144 metres from each other, using their own guidance, navigation and propulsion systems, all controlled by an onboard computer called the Advanced Data and Power Management System, developed by Redwire, where I work.\u00a0<\/p>
$\"Artist's$
Artist’s impression of the two Prob-3 satellites, which will fly in formation to form an external coronagraph in space. One satellite eclipses the Sun to allow the second to study the solar corona. Credit: ESA – P. Carril, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Additionally, the satellites are equipped with specialised formation flying units.<\/p>
The first is the Visual Based Sensor (VBS) on board the occulter spacecraft.<\/p>
This uses blinking lights on the coronagraph to locate the other spacecraft.<\/p>
Once the VBS has aligned the two spacecraft down to a few centimetres, the occulter satellite activates its Fine Longitudinal and Lateral Sensor (FLLS).<\/p>
The FLLS sends a laser to the coronagraph satellite, which reflects it back, allowing the spacecraft to line up with millimetre precision.<\/p>
Finally, the Shadow Position Sensor (SPS) on the occulter satellite measures the shadow cast onto the door covering the instrument in charge of imaging the corona.<\/p>
Once the shadow alignment is done, the door opens, allowing the spacecraft to image the Sun\u2019s corona.<\/p>
The satellites fly in a 20-hour, highly elliptical orbit around Earth.<\/p>
Every time they\u2019re at apogee \u2013 the part of the orbit furthest away from Earth \u2013 PROBA-3 can take pictures of the corona.<\/p>
$\"Marie$
Marie readies the Proba-3 satellites\u2019 computers at Redwire Space in Belgium. Credit: Marie Beeckman<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Testing the spacecraft<\/strong><\/h2>
Around 2020, the flight units started arriving at Redwire in Kruibeke, Belgium, where me and my team made sure each unit could communicate with the onboard computer.<\/p>
This was my favourite part of the job.<\/p>
In some cases it took many fun hours trying to find out why the unit wasn\u2019t connecting or \u2018speaking the same language\u2019 as the onboard computer.\u00a0<\/p>
Once all the units were working, we could start more complex testing to ensure they could interact with each other.<\/p>
It\u2019s important to test both spacecraft could work together, as they will need to when flying in formation.<\/p>
$\"Proba-3's$
Proba-3’s Coronagraph instrument hosts the mission’s ASPIICS instrument to observe the solar corona while its Occulter spacecraft blocks out the fiery solar disk. Credit: ESA – P. Sebirot<\/figcaption><\/figure>
PROBA-3 launch and mission<\/strong><\/h2>
The next step will be preparation for launch and, just as importantly, what comes afterwards.<\/p>
At first, the satellites will be stacked upon each other, and only the coronagraph will be made operational.<\/p>
After a month of testing, when we\u2019re sure all units have made it through launch intact, we\u2019ll separate the two satellites.<\/p>
The occulter will then start living its own life. When that spacecraft is also fully commissioned, both satellites will be made operational.\u00a0<\/p>
After three months of flying around Earth, PROBA-3 will finally take its first picture of the Sun\u2019s corona.<\/p>
You can bet that I will print that picture out and hang it in my bedroom!<\/p>
***This article appeared in the June 2024 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.<\/em><\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n***
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How do you build a 144-metre Sun-scope in space? Following. Marie Beeckman reveals how PROBA-3 will work. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":59151,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"4"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/05\/proba-3-will-be-a-144-metre-sun-scope-in-space-tasked-with-creating-artificial-eclipses-this-is-how-were-doing-it.jpg",1200,900,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/05\/proba-3-will-be-a-144-metre-sun-scope-in-space-tasked-with-creating-artificial-eclipses-this-is-how-were-doing-it-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/05\/proba-3-will-be-a-144-metre-sun-scope-in-space-tasked-with-creating-artificial-eclipses-this-is-how-were-doing-it-300x225.jpg",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/05\/proba-3-will-be-a-144-metre-sun-scope-in-space-tasked-with-creating-artificial-eclipses-this-is-how-were-doing-it-768x576.jpg",768,576,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/05\/proba-3-will-be-a-144-metre-sun-scope-in-space-tasked-with-creating-artificial-eclipses-this-is-how-were-doing-it-1024x768.jpg",800,600,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/05\/proba-3-will-be-a-144-metre-sun-scope-in-space-tasked-with-creating-artificial-eclipses-this-is-how-were-doing-it.jpg",1200,900,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/77\/2024\/05\/proba-3-will-be-a-144-metre-sun-scope-in-space-tasked-with-creating-artificial-eclipses-this-is-how-were-doing-it.jpg",1200,900,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"How do you build a 144-metre Sun-scope in space? Following. Marie Beeckman reveals how PROBA-3 will work.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/59150"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59150"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59150"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

Artist’s impression of Proba-3 satellites in an elliptical orbit around Earth. Credit: ESA – P. Carril, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>
**PROBA-3 and the solar corona<\/strong><\/h2>**PROBA-3 will capture images of the Sun\u2019s outer layer, the corona, from which coronal mass ejections<\/a> originate.<\/p>
These large outbursts produce tiny, high-speed particles that can disrupt anything electrical in their path, potentially causing satellite and aircraft failures here on Earth.\u00a0<\/p>
Capturing images of the corona requires blocking the bright sunlight from the Sun using a mask, creating an artificial solar eclipse<\/a>.<\/p>
Though satellites have been built in the past to image the Sun\u2019s corona, these held the mask very close to the camera.<\/p>
The resulting diffraction effects make capturing images very close to the Sun\u2019s surface challenging.<\/p>
$\"A$
A view of the Sun’s corona captured by the SOHO spacecraft on 3 April 2024. The large red disc in the centre is a coronagraph. Credit: NASA\/ESA\/SOHO<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Formation flying<\/strong><\/h2>
The solution is formation flying. PROBA-3 consists of two satellites.<\/p>
One functions as the coronagraph that captures images.<\/p>
The other satellite is the occulter, equipped with a round disc to serve as the occulting mask, blocking sunlight.<\/p>
The pair maintain a distance of 144 metres from each other, using their own guidance, navigation and propulsion systems, all controlled by an onboard computer called the Advanced Data and Power Management System, developed by Redwire, where I work.\u00a0<\/p>
$\"Artist's$
Artist’s impression of the two Prob-3 satellites, which will fly in formation to form an external coronagraph in space. One satellite eclipses the Sun to allow the second to study the solar corona. Credit: ESA – P. Carril, 2013<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Additionally, the satellites are equipped with specialised formation flying units.<\/p>
The first is the Visual Based Sensor (VBS) on board the occulter spacecraft.<\/p>
This uses blinking lights on the coronagraph to locate the other spacecraft.<\/p>
Once the VBS has aligned the two spacecraft down to a few centimetres, the occulter satellite activates its Fine Longitudinal and Lateral Sensor (FLLS).<\/p>
The FLLS sends a laser to the coronagraph satellite, which reflects it back, allowing the spacecraft to line up with millimetre precision.<\/p>
Finally, the Shadow Position Sensor (SPS) on the occulter satellite measures the shadow cast onto the door covering the instrument in charge of imaging the corona.<\/p>
Once the shadow alignment is done, the door opens, allowing the spacecraft to image the Sun\u2019s corona.<\/p>
The satellites fly in a 20-hour, highly elliptical orbit around Earth.<\/p>
Every time they\u2019re at apogee \u2013 the part of the orbit furthest away from Earth \u2013 PROBA-3 can take pictures of the corona.<\/p>
$\"Marie$
Marie readies the Proba-3 satellites\u2019 computers at Redwire Space in Belgium. Credit: Marie Beeckman<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Testing the spacecraft<\/strong><\/h2>
Around 2020, the flight units started arriving at Redwire in Kruibeke, Belgium, where me and my team made sure each unit could communicate with the onboard computer.<\/p>
This was my favourite part of the job.<\/p>
In some cases it took many fun hours trying to find out why the unit wasn\u2019t connecting or \u2018speaking the same language\u2019 as the onboard computer.\u00a0<\/p>
Once all the units were working, we could start more complex testing to ensure they could interact with each other.<\/p>
It\u2019s important to test both spacecraft could work together, as they will need to when flying in formation.<\/p>
$\"Proba-3's$
Proba-3’s Coronagraph instrument hosts the mission’s ASPIICS instrument to observe the solar corona while its Occulter spacecraft blocks out the fiery solar disk. Credit: ESA – P. Sebirot<\/figcaption><\/figure>
PROBA-3 launch and mission<\/strong><\/h2>
The next step will be preparation for launch and, just as importantly, what comes afterwards.<\/p>
At first, the satellites will be stacked upon each other, and only the coronagraph will be made operational.<\/p>
After a month of testing, when we\u2019re sure all units have made it through launch intact, we\u2019ll separate the two satellites.<\/p>
The occulter will then start living its own life. When that spacecraft is also fully commissioned, both satellites will be made operational.\u00a0<\/p>
After three months of flying around Earth, PROBA-3 will finally take its first picture of the Sun\u2019s corona.<\/p>
You can bet that I will print that picture out and hang it in my bedroom!<\/p>
***This article appeared in the June 2024 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.<\/em><\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n***
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