ESA Video
Proba-3
Proba-3 is ESA's precision formation flying technology demonstration mission launched in December 2024.
Brussels, Belgium Est. 2020 Government
Quick Facts
Country
Belgium
Founded
2020
Type
government
Status
development
About Proba-3
Proba-3 is ESA's precision formation flying technology demonstration mission launched in December 2024. The mission consists of two spacecraft — a Coronagraph spacecraft and an Occulter spacecraft — that fly in precise formation 150 meters apart (±1mm accuracy) to together form a giant artificial solar coronagraph in space. The Occulter spacecraft casts a precise shadow on the Coronagraph's telescope, blocking direct sunlight to reveal the Sun's inner corona which is normally obscured by solar glare. Proba-3 demonstrates the autonomous formation flying and rendezvous technologies required for future distributed space telescope architectures and multi-spacecraft science missions. The mission was launched on ISRO's PSLV from Satish Dhawan Space Centre and represents the first scientific use of formation flying for solar observation — previously only possible during natural solar eclipses.
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Frequently asked about Proba-3
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was Proba-3 founded?
- Proba-3 was founded in 2020 in Belgium.
- Where is Proba-3 headquartered?
- Proba-3 is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
- What does Proba-3 do?
- Proba-3 is ESA's precision formation flying technology demonstration mission launched in December 2024. The mission consists of two spacecraft — a Coronagraph spacecraft and an Occulter spacecraft — that fly in precise formation 150 meters apart (±1mm accuracy) to together form a giant artificial solar coronagraph in s…
- What sector does Proba-3 operate in?
- Proba-3 operates in in-space-services, research.
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Proba-3 is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.
Last updated: June 30, 2026
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