Know-how-demonstrating microsatellite Proba-1 was launched into orbit 23 years in the past this week – and continues to be working.
Produced for ESA by Verhaert in Belgium, now (Redwire Area), Proba-1 was launched on 22 October 2001 on an Indian Polar Satellite tv for pc Launch Car by the Indian Area Analysis Organisation, ISRO.
Amongst its many firsts, the Earth-observing Proba-1 was the primary mission to make use of lithium-ion batteries in orbit, carry out many steering, navigation and management duties autonomously – together with multi-angle acquisitions of floor imaging targets – and make use of business off-the-shelf components rather than purely space-qualified parts.
Proba-1’s essential CHRIS hyperspectral imager ceased operations on the finish of 2022 after buying greater than twenty years of information, though it stays absolutely useful. Proba-3’s secondary Excessive Decision Digicam continues to be working as nicely.
Initially supposed to function for simply two years, the aged mission is giving invaluable insights into the sturdiness of onboard programs.
Proba-1’s mission will formally conclude with one other first: it has grow to be the assigned goal for ESA’s ClearSpace-1 debris-removal spacecraft to be taken down from orbit in 2028.
Its identify brief for ‘Venture for Onboard Autonomy’, in addition to taken from the Latin for ‘Let’s attempt’, Proba-1 was the primary in a household of know-how demonstration satellites, adopted by Solar-observing Proba-2, the terrestrial vegetation monitoring Proba-V and shortly the double-satellite Proba-3, which is able to create synthetic photo voltaic eclipses in orbit to look at the Solar’s corona, the supply of house climate.
