X Report 26 Jul 2025
This week's SpaceX developments include notable upcoming missions, with a Starlink launch on the horizon and Crew Dragon's readiness for the next astronaut mission.
PROBA-3 OSC (62258)
COSPAR: 2024-233C | Alt Name: Occulter Spacecraft
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 5, 2024
Launch Site
Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India
Launch Pad
First Launch Pad
Launch Vehicle
PSLV-XL
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
62258
International Designator
2024-233C
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 12:11:09 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
59.72°
Right Ascension
96.02°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
206.06°
Period
1179.60 min
Mean Motion
1.22 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
PROBA-3 OSC
Alternative Name
Occulter Spacecraft
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
European Space Agency (ESA)
Country
European Space Agency
Constellation
PROBA-3
Related Satellites
Major Events
Launch on 2024-12-05; Initiation of formation flying operations; Commencement of solar corona observations
Latest TLEs
1 62258U 24233C 26185.50774909 -.00000317 00000+0 00000+0 0 9990
2 62258 59.7187 96.0232 8000227 206.0626 67.6161 01.22075363 7020
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The PROBA-3 OSC (Occulter Spacecraft) is a satellite with a NORAD catalog ID of 62258 and an object ID of 2024-233C, developed by ESA using the Myriade bus configuration. It measures 1.378 meters in length and diameter with a span of 1.378 meters and has a dry mass of 231 kg. Launched on December 5, 2024, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India, using the PSLV-XL launch vehicle, its primary mission is to work in tandem with the Coronagraph Spacecraft as part of the PROBA-3 mission to study the Sun's corona by creating artificial solar eclipses. The spacecraft carries a 1.4-meter diameter occulting disk and metrology instruments for precise formation flying. It utilizes solar panels and a Li-Ion battery system for power, and has a cold gas propulsion system with 12 milli-Newton thrusters for fine position control during operations. Its structure is composed of aluminum honeycomb panels with carbon fiber components and it is three-axis stabilized using star trackers and sun sensors. The spacecraft operates in the S-Band frequency range for telemetry and inter-satellite communication, and its design allows for two years of mission duration.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.378
Diameter
1.4
Span
1.378
Dry Mass
231
Launch Mass
231
Shape
Cuboid with an attached circular occulter disk
Radar Cross Section
0.5
Visual Magnitude
N/A
Color
Silver with black occulter disk
Material Composition
Aluminum honeycomb panels with carbon fiber occulter disk and solar panels
Technical Details
Payload
The primary payload is the occulting disk used in conjunction with the Coronagraph Spacecraft's ASPIICS instrument to observe the solar corona.
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
The PROBA-3 mission aims to demonstrate precise formation flying by using two spacecraft to create artificial solar eclipses, allowing detailed study of the Sun's corona.
Manufacturer
SENER Aerospace
Life Expectancy
The mission is planned to last two years, during which the OSC will work in tandem with the Coronagraph Spacecraft to study the Sun's corona.
Bus
Myriade
Configuration
Occulter Spacecraft
Motor
The OSC utilizes a cold gas propulsion system with 12 milli-Newton thrusters for fine position control during formation flying.
Equipment
The OSC is equipped with a 1.4-meter diameter occulting disk to block the Sun's light, creating an artificial eclipse. It also houses metrology instruments, including laser and visual-based optical heads, for precise formation flying.
Power System
The OSC is powered by solar panels and a Li-Ion battery system.
ADCS
Three-axis stabilized with star trackers and sun sensors
Transmitter Frequency
S-Band for telemetry and inter-satellite communication
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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