Two European satellites launched from India are set to revolutionize solar studies by creating artificial solar eclipses. This mission will see the satellites flying in precise formation, with one casting a shadow on the other for about six hours, far exceeding the duration of a natural solar eclipse on Earth. This extended period will allow researchers to delve deeper into studying the sun's corona, which plays a crucial role in understanding solar activity and phenomena like coronal mass ejections that can disrupt Earth's power systems.
Labeled as a technological demonstration, the mission involves the satellites orbiting Earth with an intricate separation of 492 feet, using advanced technologies such as GPS and lasers for precision. The European Space Agency's technology director, Dietmar Pilz, highlighted the mission's "huge scientific relevance." The mission aims to produce hundreds of artificial eclipses over two years and deliver initial results by March following equipment testing. The satellites will orbit between 370 and 37,000 miles from Earth, spending key segments of their trajectories aligned to create the solar eclipse effect.
This $210 million operation, known as Proba-3, not only promises insights into why the corona is hotter than the sun's surface but also tests high-precision formation flying, showcasing future capabilities for space exploration. Despite a minor initial delay due to a propulsion system glitch, a software update resolved the issue, paving the way for the mission's success. Once complete, the satellites will burn up in Earth's atmosphere after their two-year mission. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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