Posted: Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 9:59 AM ET (1459 GMT)
India launched a European Space Agency mission this morning to create artificial solar eclipses. A PSLV-XL rocket lifted off at 5:34 a.m. Eastern and placed the Proba-3 spacecraft into its planned highly elliptical orbit. The 550-kilogram Proba-3 mission aims to study the solar corona by emulating a total solar eclipse using two spacecraft flying in precise formation. The spacecraft will create eclipses lasting up to six hours at the time, allowing instruments to collect data on the solar wind and coronal mass ejections. It will also demonstrate precision flying technology that could be used on future missions.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  NDTV.com article
•  The Hindu BusinessLine article
•  ANI article
•  ESA press release