In a major breakthrough, the European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully re-established communication with a spacecraft from its Proba-3 mission after losing contact for nearly a month.
The mission, launched in 2024 for a 2-year duration, involves 2 spacecraft flying in precise formation about 60,000 km above Earth to simulate a solar eclipse. This unique setup allows scientists to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.
The issue occurred on February 14, when the spacecraft carrying the key coronagraph instrument lost orientation due to a chain reaction. This caused its solar panel to turn away from the Sun, leading to battery depletion and forcing the spacecraft into survival mode.
ESA Director Josef Aschbacher described the recovery as unexpected, stating, “some miracle happened because we reconnected with the spacecraft.”
During this period, the second spacecraft, equipped with a 1.4 m shield to block sunlight, continued tracking its counterpart. Scientists later observed that sunlight was partially reaching the solar panels of the drifting spacecraft, which was “tumbling” in space.
Taking advantage of this brief window, ESA teams in Spain managed to re-establish communication. The spacecraft’s solar panel is now correctly oriented toward the Sun, allowing it to recharge.
The next phase will involve switching the instruments back on and conducting tests to assess any potential damage.
“Hearing back from the coronagraph is amazing news, and a great relief!” said Proba-3 mission manager Damien Galano.
The mission remains critical for studying the Sun’s corona, a region several million kilometers thick that is difficult to observe due to the Sun’s intense brightness. Unlike rare total solar eclipses on Earth, which last only minutes and occur around 60 times per century, Proba-3 can provide 10 to 12 hours of observation each week over its mission period.
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