CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- On December 5, 2024, two European satellites were launched into orbit from India as part of the Proba-3 mission, aimed at creating artificial solar eclipses through advanced formation flying. This innovative project allows for extended observation of the sun's corona, with each artificial eclipse lasting up to six hours.
The satellites will separate approximately one month post-launch, maintaining a distance of 492 feet (150 meters) apart. They will autonomously align to cast a shadow from one satellite onto the other, requiring precision within one millimeter.
Each satellite, measuring less than 5 feet (1.5 meters) across, includes a disk on the shadow-casting unit to block sunlight, simulating the effect of a natural solar eclipse. The European Space Agency has indicated that this mission holds significant scientific importance, particularly in understanding the sun's corona and phenomena such as coronal mass ejections.
These eruptions can have substantial impacts on power and communication systems on Earth, as well as produce spectacular auroras. The satellites will orbit Earth in a lopsided trajectory, taking nearly 20 hours to complete a full circle, with six hours dedicated to generating an eclipse.
The mission, with a budget of $210 million, is expected to produce hundreds of artificial eclipses over its two-year operational period. Following the completion of their tasks, the satellites will gradually descend and burn up in the atmosphere within five years.
The launch was delayed by a day due to a last-minute issue with the backup propulsion system, which was resolved through a software fix.