ESA’s Proba-3 Mission Faces Setback After Losing Contact with Coronagraph

The European Space Agency’s ambitious Proba-3 mission to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere has encountered a major technical setback after losing contact with one of its two spacecraft. The mission aims to capture detailed images of the Sun’s corona by creating artificial solar eclipses in space. Scientists are now investigating an anomaly that caused the Proba-3 Coronagraph spacecraft to lose attitude control, interrupting communication with mission control.

Anomaly Leads to Loss of Spacecraft Orientation

The problem began in mid-February 2026 when an onboard anomaly triggered a progressive loss of attitude control in the Coronagraph spacecraft. Attitude control refers to a satellite’s ability to maintain its orientation in space. Due to this failure, the spacecraft’s solar panels stopped facing the Sun, preventing it from generating sufficient power. As a result, the onboard battery rapidly discharged, forcing the satellite to enter survival mode where only essential systems remain active and communication with Earth is halted.

Unique Two-Spacecraft Design of Proba-3

The Proba-3 mission is designed as a pair of spacecraft working in close coordination. It consists of the Coronagraph satellite and the Occulter satellite, which together create artificial solar eclipses in orbit. The Occulter blocks the Sun’s bright disc, allowing the Coronagraph to capture detailed images of the faint solar corona. To achieve this, both spacecraft must fly in extremely precise formation, maintaining a separation of around 150 metres while orbiting Earth.

Efforts to Recover the Coronagraph Spacecraft

Mission teams are currently exploring ways to restore communication and control of the Coronagraph spacecraft. The Occulter satellite, which remains fully operational, may be manoeuvred closer to observe the orientation of the malfunctioning spacecraft. This could help engineers understand its position and design possible recovery strategies. Since its launch in December 2024, Proba-3 has successfully completed more than 60 formation-flying orbits, demonstrating advanced satellite coordination technologies.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Sun’s corona is the outermost layer of the solar atmosphere and is visible during total solar eclipses.
• Proba-3 is a European Space Agency mission launched in December 2024.
• The mission uses two spacecraft flying about 150 metres apart to create artificial solar eclipses.
• Formation flying is a technique where multiple spacecraft maintain precise relative positions in orbit.

Importance of Studying the Solar Corona

The solar corona is one of the least understood regions of the Sun and plays a crucial role in space weather phenomena such as solar winds and coronal mass ejections. These events can affect satellites, communication systems and power grids on Earth. By studying the corona in greater detail, scientists hope to better understand solar activity and improve predictions of space weather that could impact modern technological infrastructure.