Project for Onboard Autonomy 2 (PROBA-2)

The European Space Agency's Project for Onboard Autonomy 2 (PROBA-2) is a small satellite designed to perform scientific research and technology demonstrations in space. Launched on November 2, 2009, PROBA-2 has provided valuable insights into space weather, solar physics, and Earth's atmosphere.

Why PROBA-2 was Launched:

The primary objective of PROBA-2 is to demonstrate new space technologies and instruments that can be used for future space missions. In particular, the mission aimed to test the capabilities of a new type of solar telescope called the Sun Watcher using Active Pixel System detector and Image Processing (SWAP). SWAP is a coronagraph that observes the Sun's corona in ultraviolet light, allowing scientists to study the dynamic behavior of the Sun's atmosphere.

In addition to SWAP, PROBA-2 also carries several other instruments, including a high-energy proton and alpha particle detector (HESPERIA), a dual segmented Langmuir probe (DSLP), and a thermal plasma measurement unit (TPMU). These instruments are designed to study space weather and the interactions between the solar wind and Earth's magnetic field.

How PROBA-2 was Launched:

PROBA-2 was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia on board a Rockot launcher. The satellite weighs only 130 kg and is equipped with four deployable solar panels that generate a total power of 380 watts. Once in orbit, PROBA-2 was placed in a Sun-synchronous polar orbit, which allows it to observe the Sun continuously.

Cost of PROBA-2:

The total cost of the PROBA-2 mission was around €30 million. This includes the design, construction, and launch of the satellite, as well as the cost of operating the mission from the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.

Achievements of PROBA-2:

Since its launch, PROBA-2 has provided valuable insights into the behavior of the Sun and the impact of space weather on Earth's atmosphere. Some of the key achievements of the mission include:

SWAP Observations of the Solar Corona:

The SWAP instrument has provided high-resolution images of the Sun's corona in ultraviolet light, allowing scientists to study the dynamic behavior of the solar atmosphere. The images have revealed new details about the structure of coronal loops, the acceleration of solar wind, and the evolution of coronal mass ejections (CMEs).

Study of Space Weather:

PROBA-2's instruments have allowed scientists to study the impact of space weather on Earth's atmosphere. The HESPERIA instrument has provided new insights into the behavior of high-energy particles during solar flares, while the DSLP and TPMU instruments have measured the properties of plasma in the Earth's ionosphere.

Technology Demonstrations:

PROBA-2 has also demonstrated new space technologies that could be used for future missions. For example, the satellite's attitude control system uses a new type of magnetic actuator that is more reliable and efficient than traditional reaction wheels. The mission has also demonstrated the use of a new type of solid-state recorder that is more robust than traditional tape recorders.

Operations in LEO:

PROBA-2 has shown that it is possible to operate a small satellite in a low Earth orbit for an extended period of time. The mission has demonstrated the importance of autonomous operations and fault tolerance in ensuring the longevity of a spacecraft.

In conclusion, the PROBA-2 mission has been a highly successful demonstration of new space technologies and scientific instruments. The mission has provided valuable insights into the behavior of the Sun and the impact of space weather on Earth's atmosphere, and has demonstrated the feasibility of operating a small satellite in a low Earth orbit for an extended period of time. The data collected by PROBA-2 has contributed to our understanding of space weather and its effects on our planet, which is important for space agencies and industries that rely on satellite technology. Additionally, the mission has served as a valuable platform for testing new technologies and instruments, which can be used in future space missions. Overall, PROBA-2 has been a significant achievement for the European Space Agency and has advanced our knowledge of the Sun, space weather, and Earth's atmosphere.