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An infrared view of a laser-based test campaign \u2013 taking place at Redwire Space in Kruibeke, Belgium \u2013 which represents crucial preparation for ESA\u2019s precision formation flying mission, Proba-3.<\/p>\n
Later this year, two satellites will be launched together into orbit to maintain formation relative to each other down to a few millimetres, creating an artificial solar eclipse in space. Proba-3\u2019s \u2018Occulter\u2019 spacecraft will cast a shadow onto the other \u2018Coronagraph\u2019 spacecraft to block out the fiery face of the Sun and make the ghostly solar corona available for sustained observation for up to six hours per 19.5 hour orbit.<\/p>\n
However to maintain the position of a shadow just a few centimetres across on the Coronagraph satellite from the Occulter satellite around 150 m away, the two satellites rely on a suite of sensors, including intersatellite radio links, GNSS, visual imaging and \u2013 for the most precise positioning at closest range \u2013 a laser metrology (or \u2018measurement of measurement\u2019) system. This system will shoot a laser from the Occulter spacecraft toward a corner cube retroreflector placed on the face of the Coronagraph spacecraft for tracking of relative position and attitude (pointing direction), achieving millimetre precision.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo calibrate Proba-3\u2019s laser metrology system, its performance was tested within the 60-m long Redwire cleanroom,\u201d explains Damien Galano, Proba-3\u2019s mission manager. \u201cThe Coronagraph\u2019s laser was reflected off a retroreflector and the resulting positioning measurements checked against absolute \u2018ground truth\u2019 using a separate laser tracking system.\u201d<\/p>\n
This mission is being put together for ESA by a consortium led by Spain\u2019s Sener, with participation by more than 29 companies from 14 countries. The Proba-3 platforms have been designed by Airbus Defence and Space in Spain and satellite integration by Redwire in Belgium. GMV in Spain is responsible for Proba-3\u2019s formation flying subsystem while its main coronagraph instrument comes from Belgium\u2019s Centre Spatial de Li\u00e8ge, CSL. Proba-3 is due to be launched by PSLV-XL launcher from India in September.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n